Houston Texans At Carolina Panthers: Week 2: What To Look For
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Here are some things to look for position-wise as both the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers take the field:
QUARTERBACK: It’s Hammer Time baby! Ryan Mallett has been elevated as the starter, a position that should be rightfully his anyway but he had to prove himself to get it. Brian Hoyer was just plain bad against the Kansas City Chiefs last week — he looked quite tentative out there and was under-throwing his receivers, turning over the ball to a point to where it was frustrating fans alike and folded like a cheap tent when the pressure was on him.
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As far as Mallett, he stepped in the 4th quarter and marched the Texans downfield to get within one score of the Chiefs. He was calm, cool, confident and collective as he directed traffic with ease as if he had been doing it for years.
The Chiefs had went to a prevent defense and had backed off the blitzing during the time he was in so it will be interesting to see how Mallett responds to the pressure.
The Panthers are quite good at the pass rush, ranked 5th in the league, yielding only 169 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Mallett has never really had a shot and it’s his time to shine — I think he will with that large-cannon of arm that he has.
Keep a close eye on how quickly he can think on his feet and make the right decision and the right time.
For the Panthers, Cam Newton will be on the prowl as one of the league’s best quarterbacks under center. His innate ability to pass and pick up the yards he needs with his legs are unmatched and he will be a double-threat to the Texans’ defense this Sunday.
Newton passed for 175 yards with one touchdown to one pick for a 71.3 rating against the Jags. Mallett passed for 98 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 110.4 rating against the Chiefs.
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