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.