The upcoming Falcons game, 12/4/2011

[Arky]

The 8-3 Texans will host their first home game in nearly a month this Sunday in a FOX early game as they take on the Atlanta Falcons. The Texans went 3-0 in November and currently have a 5 game winning streak. For the second week in a row, they'll be breaking in a new QB, 3rd string rookie TJ Yates as both Matt's (Schaub and Leinart) are out for the year. Yates saw a little more than a half of action against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday after Matt Leinart went down due to a collar bone injury. The Texans will need to rally around Yates and pass the ball a bit more as the Atlanta defense is currently 2nd in the NFL against the run.

The Falcons are 7-4, currently the 6th seed in the NFC and need a W to keep pace for the playoffs. QB Matt Ryan is having a decent year and currently ranks 10th in yards (2,887) and 10th in QB rating (89.3). Ryans favorite receivers are WR Roddy White (64/830, 13.0, 4 TD) and TE Tony Gonzales (59/630, 10.7, 7 TD). Rookie WR Julio Jones (30/498, 16.6, 2 TD) has been hampered by a hamstring injury this season and may or may not see action or just some partial action. Running back Michael Turner is 4th in the NFL with 948 rushing yards.

TV = FOX (channel 26 local), Sunday, 12 noon CST

Announcers = Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

Favorite = Falcons by 1 to 3 pts.

[nunusguy]

I love my Texans, but under TJ I expect them to lose Sunday and lose again a week from Sunday in Cinci while I give the Titans, who have a QB who has started, finished, & won an NFL playoff game during this calendar year, a real good shot at winning one of their next 2 games (they are in Buffalo Sunday and then entertain NOLA). If that scenario happens it would whittle our division lead over them to one game. Hey, we haven't wrapped up this division just yet folks.

[Nconroe]

we don't have it wrapped up yet, but if we loose next two, (hope we loose well,) and win the next three,( anyway we can just win) we do have it ( being make the playoffs) wrapped up then, in final game against Titans.

Obviously many known unknowns coming up. Like how will TJ do. I hope he surprizes us all.

[WMH]

@evansilva: Falcons RB Michael Turner missed Wednesday's practice with a groin injury. Has had groin problems before. Is 2nd in NFL in carries.

[NBT]

You guys are such alarmists. We could just as well win out the rest of the year like a certain N.E. team did under a rookie 5th rounder named Brady. I know I am drinking the Kool-Aid, but why not? There is no useful purpose served by just laying down and giving up before the game is even played.

It will be real tough, but it is doable.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

You guys are such alarmists. We could just as well win out the rest of the year like a certain N.E. team did under a rookie 5th rounder named Brady. I know I am drinking the Kool-Aid, but why not? There is no useful purpose served by just laying down and giving up before the game is even played.

It will be real tough, but it is doable.

FYI Brady was a 2nd year guy the year he took over for Bledsoe and won the Super Bowl. His rookie season he was only 1 for 3 and 6 yards. One off-season makes a big difference.

Just saying.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I love my Texans, but under TJ I expect them to lose Sunday and lose again a week from Sunday

What kind of gutless, total moron would pick against the great Houston Texans ?
Oh wait, that's me !
Under the circumstances, what an incredible performance by TJ !

[WMH]

@caplannfl: #Falcons WR Julio Jones missed practice again Thursday.
@caplannfl: Michael Turner (groin) missed practice for the second straight day for the #Falcons.

[WMH]

@daverichard: Michael Turner back at practice. Julio Jones too.

@McClain_on_NFL: Delhomme to back up yates against falcons.

[JW295]

If Houston can pull out this win, they should be the top team in the AFC