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Could Deshaun Watson beating Tom Brady be first-step ‘changing of the guard?’

By Andrew Boardwine

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 1: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans talks after the game on the field while surrounded by photographers to Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 1: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans talks after the game on the field while surrounded by photographers to Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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There has been an influx of young, talented quarterbacks taking over the NFL as of late and one of those is former Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.

Former Clemson QB Deshaun Watson had a night to remember Sunday evening when he led the Houston Texans to a 28-22 win over the New England Patriots.

The loss was just the second of the year for the Patriots and the win improved the Texans to 8-4 on the season.

Watson completed 18-of-25 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass from WR DeAndre Hopkins on a crazy option trick play.

Tom Brady, on the other hand, completed 24-of-47 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns to one interception.

One of the most telling stats from the matchup between the two quarterbacks was their yards per attempt numbers. Brady had 6.9 yards per attempt, while Watson had an astounding 13.4 yards per attempt.

This post isn’t to say anything about Tom Brady’s ability, skill or greatness.

Brady has been the top quarterback in the NFL for more than a decade now and he’s still among the leaders.

However, there’s no doubting that the NFL is seeing heavy turnover in terms of quarterbacks. We’re seeing a ton of talented, young quarterbacks taking the league by storm, including guys like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson.

Because of those talented quarterbacks on the rise, it certainly stands to question: Could Sunday night have been the first-step in a ‘changing of the guards’ process? Could Deshaun Watson, out of all the young quarterbacks, be the next player to take grasp of the greatness that Tom Brady has held onto for so long?

Could Sunday have been a sneak peek into what we’re going to see in the future? Though Brady has been great, he’s going to retire at some point and it could be sooner rather than later.

Deshaun Watson has proven over these past couple of seasons that he is more than capable of taking a cast of characters that aren’t necessarily filled with stars [minus DeAndre Hopkins, and probably Will Fuller] and still win football games.

Watson has all the characteristics to become the next great quarterback in the NFL. He has the skill, athleticism, leadership ability, character, winning mentality and desire to get better.

Next. Yahoo Sports calls out Dabo Swinney. dark

Despite Tom Brady likely being one of the top players to ever compete in the NFL, Sunday night was the Deshaun Watson show. While Watson still has areas to improve upon, there’s no doubting that he is quickly rising to the top and has the ability to become the next great one.

Sunday very well could’ve been the first-step in that ‘changing of the guard’ process.

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