Ryan Mallet appears to have earned the confidence of Bill Belichick.

Mallet started New England's second preseason game at quarterback against Philadelphia last Monday and was called on for relief duty on Friday night against the Buccaneers.

Mallet is getting more confident with each snap and looked good in both the the Philly and Tampa Bay contests. He was 7-for-13 for 66 yards and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers.

Brian Hoyer is also in competition for the backup job with the Patriots.