Quick Hits: Texans vs. Falcons

Chances are, if you’re a Houston Texans fan, you’re dying to forget about last weekend and hoping against hope that Bill O’Brien can do something, anything, with all the offensive firepower Houston has against the Falcons this weekend. While that remains to be seen, the Texans, on paper at least, have a pretty good shot at getting win #3. That is, if they can find a way to slow down Matt Ryan and keep up with the Falcons’ offense.

Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Houston Texans (2-2)

• The Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons have met four times, splitting the series at 2-2.
• They last met on 10/4/2015 when Atlanta dismantled the Texans to the tune of 48-21.
• 12/4/11 was the date of the last game between these two at NRG Stadium, with the Texans winning a close one, 17-10.
• Falcons head coach Dan Quin is 1-0 against Houston. Bill O’Brien is 0-1 against Atlanta.
• Both offenses are struggling to put points on the board, with Atlanta averaging just 17.5 per game, and Houston clocking in at 19.5. However, each team has the firepower to turn this into a barn burner.
• The Falcons’ defense is giving up an average of 24.5 points per game, while Houston defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and his unit are holding opponents to a 19.5 points per game average.
• Falcons QB Matt Ryan threw for 375 yards last week, whereas the Texans Deshaun Watson only connected with his receivers for 160 yards.
• Atlanta tailback Devonta Freeman rolled up 149 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns when he last faced the Texans.
• Freeman has a total of 157 rushing yards in 2019, good for an average of 3.3 yards per carry.
• The Texans’ new feature back, Carlos Hyde, has 250 yards, good for a 4.8 yards per carry average.
• H-Town tailback Duke Johnson ripped off his career longest run last weekend of 40 yards.
• Wide receivers Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins are two of the best in the NFL right now. Combined, the two future Hall of Famers have 18,744 total receiving yards and 104 touchdowns.
• Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett currently leads the Falcons with two sacks
• Linebacker Whitney Mercilus has the sack lead in Houston with five.
• Falcons LB De’Vondre Campbell led team with career-high 17 tackles. He had two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last week.
• Texans All-world Defensive lineman J.J. Watt had a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last week. Watt is only five sacks away from 100 on his career.
• Atlanta currently sits at a -5 turnover ratio while Houston has a +2 after recovering three fumbles last weekend.

There you have it, folks. Stats galore. Give us your stat predictions in the comments box.