Backup Houston quarterback Ryan Mallettwas forced into the game unexpectedly when third-stringer Tom Savage went out with an apparent shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of the preseason finale. Instead of handing off three times and heading home after a go-ahead 5-yard run touchdown by Dallas' Ben Malena, the Texans did try to throw twice with Mallett. After a pair of incompletions, Dallas ran out the clock in a 21-14 victory Thursday night. read more http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400791777