Texans hammer Browns in Mallett’s debut 23-7
Nov 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) throws a pass during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Today might be just one game, but what a game it was. The Texans new quarterback Ryan Mallett came out and made a statement. Going 20-30 with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Mallett’s first touchdown was to J.J. Watt on a fade from the two yard line. How’s that for Mallett’s scrapbook, “first touchdown: J.J. Watt”. We saw his arm, passing several times for thirty plus yards and keeping the Browns off center the entire game. It was, everything we’ve been waiting for out of the Texans offense. Mallett lead a masterful two minute drive to close out the 1st half, played with poise and command as he led the offense. The Texans ran a very high tempo offense that had the Browns unable to keep up. The battle between the Brady backups was won by Ryan Mallett.
However, the story wasn’t Ryan Mallet. The real story of this game was a young man from LSU, Alfred Blue. Starting in place of an ailing Arian Foster, Blue came in and rushed 36 times for 156 yards. That’s an average 4.34 yards per carry. Considering many of the short runs were in the fourth quarter just chewing up clock that’s a pretty good day for Blue. His relief, Jonathan Grimes was effective with 13 carries for 54 yards. This might be the first game all season the quarterback wasn’t one of the top rushers the entire game.
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J.J. Watt was the best player for the Cleveland Browns. Two penalties on special teams, roughing the passer, allowed the Browns to get a touchdown. These weren’t caused by malice just extreme effort that resulted in near blocked kicks and some great acting by the Browns punter. However, Watt aslo did a few good things. Here’s the short list; Sack, Strip, Touchdown Reception, Fumble Recovery, tackles for loss including one big one on Ben Tate. Tate had a miserable day and was probably the second most unhappy former Texans starter behind Ryan Fitzpatrick.
While the Texans once again failed to take advantage of their tight ends, there was a three play series where Garrett Graham was a monster. Three catches to cap off a drive with a touchdown during the Texans amazing 2nd quarter two minute drill. We need to see more of that moving forward. You can tell there is some chemistry forming between the two. Expect more passes to the underused tight ends next week as the Texans host the Bengals.
Jadeveon Clowney, was mostly a non-factor in this game. He had two tackles and was mostly used as a pass rusher sharing time with Whitney Mercilus. The other injured linebacker, Brian Cushing was a monster today. Two massive, legal hits on Brian Hoyer, the last one so hard Johnny Manziel had his helmet in hand before Hoyer could get back up. However, Hoyer stayed in and nearly lead the Browns to a 4th quarter come back. However the Texans defense held strong.
Nov 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) makes a touchdown reception against Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
A good win to start the Mallett era in Houston, there are still six games left in the season and every one is important. If Mallet can maintain or exceed his play today the Texans might actually have the answer to the quarterback mess they’ve been mired in since Matt Schaub’s collapse in late 2012. There were mistakes, miscommunication happened but overall a fun game for Texans fans.
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