NFL Predictions Week 13: Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans

Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans
Sunday, 12/4/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Atlanta -2.5
Current Betting Line: Atlanta -2.5
Opening Total: 41
Current Total: 37.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Falcons Packers NFC Playoff Game Preview — The Atlanta Falcons are 13-8 ATS on the road the past two-plus seasons

Atlanta will look to make it three in a row and will be playing on the road for the first time since Nov. 6. The Falcons have won both games against AFC South opponents under the direction of head coach Mike Smith. “We’ve always said that we always want to position ourselves to be a relevant team in November and December, and the teams that have sustainability are the ones that are relevant in those months,” commented Smith. The franchise has tallied a 6-2 ATS and 5-3 SU mark during this particular month. Atlanta is 13-8 ATS on the road the past two-plus seasons.

The Falcons offense is known for being on the field a long time, ranking third in the NFL in possession time, but will be facing a Texans stop unit that ranks first in limiting opponent’s time of possession. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan is coming off one of his best games as a professional, connecting on 27 of 34 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings as 10-point home favorites. His favorite outside target is really starting to come on, with Roddy White registering back-to-back 100-yard games.

Houston will send out rookie quarterback Tyler Yates for his first career start and look to preserve the team’s two-game lead in the AFC South division with five games remaining. The former North Carolina Tar Heels star came into last week’s game after backup signal-caller Matt Leinart suffered a broken collarbone in the team’s 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars as six-point road favorites last week. The recent injuries under center have caused the team to sign Kellen Clemens and Jake Delhomme. Houston is tremendously balanced in ranking eighth in the league in averaging 379.7 yards per game offensively, while allowing just 268.4 yards to pace the league defensively. Houston is 2-6 ATS in December contests the last two-plus years.

The Texans will bring in a franchise-record five-game winning streak and will likely rely heavily on getting the ball in the hands of running back Arian Foster, who has averaged 156.6 yards per game from scrimmage and scored eight touchdowns during the team’s winning streak. Houston also has a capable backup in Ben Tate, coming in with 712 rushing yards.