Top Five Stories for NFL Week 11: Stop

Top 5 Stories for NFL Week 11: Stop—Mallett Time!

Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Kaddu (49) in the second half during the preseason game at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 42-35. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Mallett gets his first start for the Houston Texans

It feels like we’ve been talking about Ryan Mallett starting in Houston since the NFL Draft, and we have. So it isn’t a shock that his debut Sunday against the Cleveland Browns is being watched closely.

We really have no idea what Mallett can do. We know he came into the league with a big arm and, as Pro Football Talk termed it at the time, some “Off-Field Concerns” but we haven’t seen him in action very often. Not with the Patriots and not with the Texans since he was traded at the beginning of the season.

His job is going to be tough on Sunday. The Cleveland Browns are a solid team defensively and Mallett will face them without his stud running back as Arian Foster is out. On the other hand, he has two outstanding wide receivers in Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, so that will allow the offense to take advantage of his big arm.

Assuming he is accurate with it.

Is he the answer at quarterback for the Houston Texans? Is he even better than Ryan Fitzpatrick?

The answer to those questions are critical for a team whose playoff hopes aren’t dead yet.

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