After a good win against the 49ers last weekend, the Houston Texans will look to get some more momentum going against the Denver Broncos. Of course there's not much to be made from the preseason. But this game could be a big chance for the two men trying to claim the Texans starting quarterback spot. Head coach Bill O'Brien has said the player who gets the starting gig will be the guy who can be most consistent. But it's pretty hard to tell which player has the advantage.
Last weekend, Brian Hoyer got the start for the Texans. His first throw went through the hands of wide reciever Alan Bonner. Then on a third down, Hoyer would find his tight end Garret Graham for the first down. Hoyer's third throw would be batted down at the line on a naked boot. Hoyer would throw his fourth and final pass to Cecil Shorts who took the catch 58 yards to the endzone. At 2/4 for 64 yards and a touchdown, Brian Hoyer made a quick statement.
Ryan Mallet would have more time in the game than Hoyer and he made the most of it. Bill O'Brien said he wanted the winner to be consistent. Mallet was exactly that, throwing 10/11 for 90 yards. The big nact on Mallet last weekend (according to the fans anyway) was that Mallet couldn't find the endzone. Granted he wasn't the one who called seven running plays on the goal line and couldn't get in.
Mallet will start this weekend for the Texans and he'll get a good test from the Broncos front seven. Headlined by DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, the Broncos have a nasty defense. The Texans didn't allow a sack last weekend. They'll get their money's worth this time around with Wade Phillips calling the shots for the Denver defense.
The Texans defense also has massive potential this season. They will get some good reps in this weekend as they take on the revamped Bronco offense that is headlined by future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. Manning didn't play last weekend. But neither did J.J Watt or Vince Wilfork. All three players probably won't be on the field for long, but it's likely they'll be on the field at the same time, making for a great sequel to Clash of The Titans. Even if it only lasts for 5 minutes.
Players to watch for the Texans are rookies Jalen Strong and Lynden Trail. Jalen is trying to bounce back from a rough time early in camp. He caught a touchdown pass from Tom Savage last weekend. But Strong has high expectations for himself. As for Trail, he's been having a terrible time in Texans camp, as documented on Hard Knocks. If Trail doesn't get going this weekend, he could be an early cut from the Texans roster.