2017 NFL Power Rankings Preseason Week 2: Los Angeles Rams take major step forward

8. Houston Texans (9)

While the Denver Broncos seem to have the most competitive quarterback battle this preseason, the Houston Texans aren’t far behind them when it comes to whether Tom Savage or Deshaun Watson deserves the starting job. A few months back, Savage seemed to be a lock for the job after Brock Osweiler was traded to the Cleveland Browns, but after the Texans traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Watson, it’s an open competition at this point.

Unfortunately for Savage, the experience factor can’t even work to his advantage since he hasn’t even thrown a touchdown pass during the regular season in his career. And although Savage was the starter during the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, it was Watson that ended up finishing as the game’s top performer.

From completing 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards to rushing for a touchdown on his own, Watson looked very comfortable under center for Houston against Carolina to a point where he deserves strong consideration for the starting gig. With a dominant defense that’s considered one of the best in the league, the Texans have nothing to lose with throwing Watson in as the starter right away as a rookie.