Houston Texans: Is Ryan Mallett The Answer?

It’s two weeks in and the Houston Texans have a large donut hole in the win column.

Are you surprised?

I actually am, albeit slightly.

This team has a lot of talent and has the potential to take over this division but something isn’t quite right.

Is it the quarterback position? Offensive line? Maybe special teams?

No matter how you slice it, something is inherently wrong here and something has to be done before this season is a wash.

Back in 2013 at Week 2, although the Texans didn’t always look as graceful in their two wins, there was still hope that they’d turn it around.

But then you know what happened.

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This team lost their remaining 14 games and us fans went through arguably the most painful season in franchise history.

It was to the point where you’d expect the team to lose — they’d find a way to screw it up and get ever closer to obtaining the No. 1 pick in 2014 draft.

To which we did.

But as this team meanders through the 2015 season, there’s an interesting question that at least needs to be examined.

In just one week, we’ve had a rather quick — but warranted — change at the quarterback position.

Brian Hoyer was just plain bad against the Kansas City Chiefs and seeing more of that would’ve been acceptable for Bill O’Brien, the Texans’ coaching staff and fans alike.

Here comes Ryan Mallett!

After a buck and quarter’s worth of games, Mallett has passed for 342 yards, two touchdowns to one interception for a passer rating of 66.8.

These numbers don’t completely set the world on fire but they’re a lot better than likely what Hoyer could’ve put up.

His throws were quite solid and Mallett did respond well whenever the pressure was on him which was quite a lot.

And you can’t help but root for the guy when he ran for a six-yard touchdown with 6:31 left in the 4th quarter, keeping the team fighting all the way to end.

It doesn’t make his situation any better in regard to left tackle Duane Brown being out with a thumb issue.

Luckily, Mallett does have a cannon for an arm and is quick on his feet so that he can move when the pocket collapses.

I honestly think that’s going to be happening a lot to him this season.

And the drops by the receivers were quite alarming — Mallett was putting the ball where it needed to be but receivers weren’t coming up to get it.

Cue the drop by Nate Washington early in the first half.

But ultimately, Mallett was facing a stellar defense that the Panthers employ and it could be very well what keeps that team successful this season.

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Their offense was just as anemic at times even with the great Cam Newton under center.

It was tough to see Mallett get victimized and picked off by middle linebacker A.J. Klein, who has filled in for the concussed Luke Kuechly nicely.

As far as how Mallett stacked up against other quarterbacks this week, it wasn’t too good.

Mallett was ranked 23rd among quarterbacks with a QBR of 43.1.

He was still ahead of Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariota, Drew Brees, Nick Foles, Alex Smith, Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen (who was in for an injured Jay Cutler).