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Be thankful for: Deshaun Watson's improvement. There was a scenario where Watson could've taken a step backwards this season without DeAndre Hopkins. That hasn't happened. Watson is on pace to set career highs for completion percentage, YPA and adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A). And he's just 25 years old. The Texans are likely to screw this up in the offseason. But they've got the hardest part -- finding the franchise quarterback -- figured out.

They had their best game of the year against the Patriots. That's the offense we expected to see this season.

QB Deshaun Watson won't get any MVP love ... and yet he generates nearly 84% of Houston's offense, so imagine what this team would be without him.

What they're thankful for: QB Deshaun Watson

As the McNair family looks for the Texans' next general manager and head coach, they should be thankful for the quarterback they can build around. Although the Texans are 3-7, that record is not indicative of how well Watson has played. And on Sunday against the Patriots, he showed just how much he has had to do to will the Texans to a win, accounting for 380 of Houston's 399 net yards. He also scored all three of the Texans' touchdowns. -- Sarah Barshop

Add another voice to the chorus reminding the general public that none of the Texans' myriad issues this season is a reflection on the quarterback play of Deshaun Watson. He's been excellent this season, a superstar in need of better structure around him. On Sunday, Watson got some help in a 27-20 win over the Patriots. The defense played its best game of the year, holding the third-ranked New England running game to just 86 yards. Leading the charge on the front line was, of course, J.J. Watt, who set a career high with four batted passes. His final pass breakup came at an opportune time, a third-down swat when the Patriots were driving for the game-tying score in the final minutes. In a time of transition for the franchise, Texans fans should enjoy Watt while they still can.