Getty BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens exchange jerseys with quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans after the Baltimore Ravens 41-7 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
The showdown between two of the best young quarterbacks in the game ended up being a bit anti-climactic. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens virtually obliterated Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans, 41-7. The game never felt close, and Jackson, who was dynamic as ever, (he threw for four touchdowns and had multiple ridiculous runs) made a solid case for league MVP. Deshaun Watson certainly thought so.
After the game was over, the two young quarterbacks met in the middle of the field and exchanged jerseys. When asked after the game what he wrote on Jackson’s jersey, Watson didn’t skip a beat: “I wrote MVP on it for sure”, he said. “It’s love, it’s all respect…He’s like a brother to me…He played well today…just showin’ love…this game is about brotherhood. Who knows how long we’re gonna get to play it?”
Watson had what was arguably the worst game of his young career, yet he managed to maintain a respectable degree of humility through it all. The Texans gave up seven sacks in the game, and Watson failed to throw a touchdown pass while also throwing an interception and fumbling the ball. When the game was over, he gave credit where credit was due:
Deshaun Watson said he wrote “MVP” on Lamar Jackson’s jersey after they swapped jerseys. “He’s like a brother to me, I’m proud of him … it’s all respect.”
Forget the future. They got now.
Watson was also incredibly humble and borderline uplifting in his post game comments after such a huge road loss, but that is part of what makes him special. The Texans quarterback noted that he is “waking up blessed, happy, and walking,” and said that he had no issue heaping praise upon Jackson because he felt incredibly lucky to be playing the game that he loves with players as talented as Jackson. According to comments Jackson made after the game, the feeling is mutual.
Lamar Jackson Calls Watson ‘GOAT’
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shakes hands with quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans after the Baltimore Ravens 41-7 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
According to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, when asked about the jersey exchange after the game, Jackson said the following about Watson: “He just said he’s proud of me, keep going. He’s a great quarterback; I already call him the GOAT.”
Lamar Jackson on the jersey exchange with Deshaun Watson: “He just said he’s proud of me, keep going. I said the same thing to him. He’s a great quarterback; I already call him the GOAT.”
Jackson remained as focused and humble as ever in his post game comments. As he left the field after Sunday’s huge win, he heard appreciative chants from the crowd: “MVP.”
Lamar Jackson, after the jersey swap with Deshaun Watson, leaves the field to an MVP chant from #Ravens fans
Watson’s post game presser managed to be positive yet humble, and he also showed a great degree of toughness throughout the game, as he was playing on an ankle that may have been sprained in the game.
Did Deshaun Watson Injure His Ankle vs Ravens?
During the game, Watson took a hit and landed awkwardly on his left ankle. Sports medical analyst Dr. David Chao noted on Twitter that it looked as though Watson may have suffered a “left high ankle sprain:”
Chao noted in his update that while this is not a serious injury, it may be something to monitor going forward, as it could be similar in nature to the ankle injury that hampered Patrick Mahomes the first several weeks of this season.
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