Quantifying Quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson Finishes Strong to Take Down Florida State

DeShaun Watson’s performance against Florida State was like any other performance this season. Watson had extreme ups and downs through most of the game, only to come in clutch late in the game to seal the deal. It’s a risky brand of football that he is playing, but due in part to Clemson’s rushing attack and defense, it’s working.

By: Derrik Klassen

Despite two interceptions against Florida State, Watson scored in the final minutes of the game to put Clemson ahead. Florida State’s offense tried to rally back, but penalties, a poor offensive line and Clemson’s staunch defense did not allow the Seminoles to score. Once again, Watson and the Tigers came out on top.

Key:

• ADJ = Adjustment from receiver
• DE = Drop w/ effort or defended pass
• DB = Dropped blatantly
• TD = Touchdown
• INT = Interception

Total: 25/40 (62.50%) *Does not include “jet” or touch passes*

Watson’s completion percentage is quite impressive when considering that very few of his attempts were passes behind the line of scrimmage. Watson threw just six of his 40 passes behind the line of scrimmage, and one of those six passes was dropped by the receiver. In fact, Watson threw beyond fifteen yards nearly twice as often as he threw behind the line of scrimmage. Lack of aggression was not the issue for Watson against Florida State.

Rather, Watson was too quick to pull the trigger, at times. Both of his interceptions were thrown into “trap” coverages, where a defender poses as an underneath threat and poaches on quarterbacks trying to throw over the top of them. Watson failed to see the defender on both occasions and even admitted after the game that those types of mistakes aren’t like him. Watson rebounded, though.

On Clemson’s final possession, Watson completed two passes in the 16-20 yard range, the second of which was the game-winning touchdown. Watson had been throwing successfully down the field all game, but this was when it mattered most and Watson delivered.

Pass Rush Breakdown:

• 3 Man Rush: 1 Time, 1 Pressure – 1/1

• 4 Man Rush: 20 Times, 3 Pressures – 12/20 (1 DB, 2 DE)

• 5 Man Rush: 18 Times, 4 Pressures – 12/18 (1 ADJ, 4 DE, 2 TD, 1 INT)

• 6 Man Rush: 1 Time, 1 Pressure – 0/1 (1 INT)

Passing When Pressured: 5/9 (1 INT)

In terms of completing passes, Watson did not play any differently versus a variety of pass rush counts. Versus four or fewer rushes, Watson was thirteen of 21, while going twelve of nineteen against five or more rushers. For all intents and purposes, Watson was just as accurate in both splits.

The difference is when Watson was throwing his interceptions. Both of Watson’s interceptions were when throwing against five or more pass-rushers. The problem for Watson was that he was fewer defenders in coverage and thought his pre-snap read was going to be open as a result of that, but Florida State’s sneaky coverages baited Watson into interceptions. Watson needed to do a better job of seeing the field post-snap in order to avoid turnovers.

Situational Passing:

• Play Action: 4/9 (1 DB, 3 DE, 1 INT)

• Rollout: 3/4 (1 TD, 1 INT)

• 3rd/4th Down: 9/13 (1 ADJ, 1 DE, 1 INT)

• Red Zone: 2/6 (1 ADJ, 1 DB, 1 DE, 1 TD)

For whatever reason, this is one of the worst single-game samples for play action passing. Watson completed fewer than half of his play action passes and turned the ball over once after a fake hand-off. As was the issue above, Watson was more than likely too stuck on his pre-snap reads and forced passes that he shouldn’t have. If Watson wants to sustain his first round hype, he’ll need to clean that up to finish off the season.

Watson was money on critical downs, even considering the one interception. Watson completed passes and converted first downs at a high rate versus the Seminoles. He was able to keep drives alive, allowing Clemson to score nearly 40 points.

In the red zone, Watson’s numbers are all over. Had the one blatant drop been caught, Watson would have completed 50% in the red zone with one touchdown and zero interceptions. That’s not a perfect outing, but that is enough production to not hurt Clemson. Most importantly, Watson did not turn the ball over in the red zone.

Route Break Key:

• S = Screen, Shoot, Swing

• O = Out-breaking

• I = In-breaking

• V = Vertical

• C = Crossing

For the most part, Watson was good, not great all around the board. Watson was great throwing vertically, though. Completing more than half of one’s vertical routes in a game gives the offense boat loads of explosive potential. The scariest part for team’s still left on Clemson’s schedule is that Watson left some yards on the field when throwing deep. Some of those misses had nothing to do with the coverage, rather it was Waston just missing. If Watson can fully hone in for a game, the opposing defense won’t have a chance.

Target Distribution

Nearly three-fourths of Watson’s passes went to wide receiver Mike Williams, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Jordan Leggett. While Clemson has a bevy of other talented players, these three are clearly Watson’s favorite weapons, and for good reason. Each of them provide something different for Watson.

Williams is a big, strong wide receiver that acts as Clemson’s true No.1 receiver. He can get vertical and win down the field, just as he can play with some nastiness and create separation in the short game. Renfrow, who mostly operates out of the slot, always seems to be open. He’s not normally a big play threat, but he consistently gives Watson a safe option in the short-to-intermediate area. Lastly, Leggett is a beast over the middle of the field. Whether he is working as an in-line tight end or split out as a receiver, Leggett moves incredibly well for his size and poses a threat every time he touches the ball. Leggett caught the game-winning touchdown on a deep corner route.

DeShaun Watson has had much better overall performances than this one. The two interceptions could have been avoided and Watson could have done a better job of coming off of his initial reads. That being said, Watson came through for the Tigers when they needed him. Watson made a handful of key throws with the game on the line and marched Clemson down the field for the win. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win, nonetheless. After a rough start to the season, Watson is slow, but surely, reviving his junior campaign.