The Associated Press
CINCINNATI–Deshaun Watson showed up in a black tuxedo for his first NFL start.
From his snazzy bowtie to his game-turning scramble, he did it all his style.
The rookie ran 49 yards for a touchdown and led the Houston Texans’ depleted offence to a late clinching field goal in a 13-9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last night.
“I was just trying to make a play,” he noted. “I found a hole and broke away.”
Yes, it was that easy.
Watson showed up in a black tuxedo–it was his 22nd birthday, no less–and showed the flash that helped him lead Clemson to a national title last season.
He avoided the rush and ran 49 yards for a 10-3 lead late in the first half, dashing past befuddled defenders.
Some birthday.
“The first start on my birthday was pretty emotional,” admitted Watson, wearing a Texans’ T-shirt to his post-game media availability.
The Texans (1-1) got the most out of their depleted offence–then let their defence do the rest.
The Bengals (0-2) have failed to score a touchdown in their two games to open a season for the first time in their 50 seasons.
In fact, they are the first team since the 1939 Eagles to open a season with two home games and fail to get in the end zone, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau shared by ESPN.
“I am shocked,” said coach Marvin Lewis.
Watson led a 13-play drive that set up Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 42-yard field goal with 1:56 to go.
The Bengals got the ball back but turned it over near midfield on a fourth-down completion.
After a punt, they ran one more play with two seconds left that didn’t get far.
Cincinnati lost to the Ravens 20-0 at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday–the first time in their history that they opened the season blanked at home.
Andy Dalton threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in that one.
Then last night, the Bengals managed just three field goals by Randy Bullock.
Dalton fell to 1-6 career against the Texans, including a pair of playoff losses.
He was 20-of-35 for 224 yards with three sacks.
“Very surprised,” receiver A.J. Green said. “We practice well but when it comes to the game, we’re out of character.
“I don’t know what we’re doing out there.”
Watson became the first rookie quarterback to win his first start on the road in a prime-time game since the Eagles’ Joe Webb in 2010, according to Elias.
The Bengals, meanwhile, became the first team that opened the season with five scoreless quarters since the 2009 Rams, who went 1-15.
