Streaks
The above contest is the only meeting between these two teams.
Last week
The Texans suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a 30-24 decision against the Colts. Houston had one final chance at a Hail Mary pass with 19 seconds left, but quarterback Matt Schaub was sacked to end the game. After a ragged 0-2 start to the season, Atlanta finally got its offense going against the Panthers but lost, 27-20.
Key matchup
After being sacked 13 times in the first two weeks, Atlanta quarterback Joey Harrington was finally given some time in the pocket and showed what he could do with better protection. The veteran signal caller was sacked only once and completed 31-of-44 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. The task to keep Texans star defensive end Mario Williams from harrassing Harrington falls to Falcons right tackle Todd Weiner. If Weiner and Atlanta's offensive line can keep Williams and Houston's front four off the quarterback, the Falcons' chances of winning increase dramatically.
Injuries
HOUSTON: WR Andre Johnson (knee), DE Earl Cochran (knee). ATLANTA: TE Dwayne Blakely (pectoral), DT Rod Coleman (knee), OT Wayne Gandy (hamstring), S Chris Crocker (knee), CB DeAngelo Hall (ankle), WR Laurent Robinson (hamstring)
Did you know?
The Texans' Amobi Okoye, the NFL's rookie sack leader with three, played for Petrino last year at Louisville. Petrino passed on Okoye with the eighth pick in the draft to take Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson, who has yet to record a sack.