HOUSTON (AP)—No matter how many obstacles the Houston Texans face, they
keep finding ways to overcome them.

On Sunday rookie quarterback T.J. Yates(notes) led them to their franchise-record
sixth straight win with a 17-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Yates threw a touchdown pass in his first NFL start, Arian Foster(notes) rushed for
111 yards and Houston (9-3) kept rolling despite another injury to Andre
Johnson(notes).

“It’s a great win because of everything this team has been through,” coach
Gary Kubiak said. “We found a way to win.”

The Texans’ success is remarkable considering they’re down to their
third-string quarterback and have played many of their games without their star
receiver.

The Falcons (7-5) sputtered offensively most of the game in losing for the
second time in seven games. Houston’s top-ranked defense knocked down two passes
by Matt Ryan(notes) in the end zone in the closing seconds.

“(The win) is big because it proves a lot because of the adversity we went
through,” linebacker Brian Cushing(notes) said. “Coming in here with your No. 3
quarterback against a defense like that and playing an offense like that, I
think it really says a lot about our team.”

Yates went 12 for 25 for 188 yards without an interception, an impressively
poised performance after a dizzying week.

The fifth-round pick was thrust into his pro debut last week in Jacksonville
when Matt Leinart(notes) broke his collarbone. Leinart was starting in place of Matt
Schaub(notes), who broke his right foot in Houston’s previous game.

The 24-year-old Yates went 8 for 15 for 70 yards in his
earlier-than-expected debut against the Jaguars. He was sacked three times by
the Falcons, but never looked overwhelmed.

Yates took a hard hit from John Abraham(notes) early in the third quarter, but
Abraham was disappointed that they weren’t able to disrupt him more.

“It was our fault for not getting him down,” Abraham said. “We got a few
good pressures on him. But there’s a difference between making him move and
making him take hits and getting him on the ground. We didn’t get him on the
ground that much. He did a good job.”

Johnson looked like he’d be Yates’ go-to guy early, making leaping catches
on the quarterback’s first two completions. The All-Pro receiver also atoned for
an earlier drop by pulling in a perfect 50-yard pass from Yates to the Atlanta 5
in the second quarter.

Yates then snapped a quick pass to tight end Joel Dreessen(notes) for his first
career TD, and chants of “T.J.! T.J.!” emerged from the capacity crowd.

“I was studying my butt off all week long,” Yates said, “and it paid
off.”

Naturally, the Texans couldn’t make it through a game without more
adversity.

Johnson left in the third quarter after hurting his left hamstring. He
injured his right hamstring in Week 4, had minor surgery and sat out six games.

Kubiak said after the game that he was told the injury was not severe, but
he couldn’t be certain until Johnson has tests on Monday.

“I know it’s not as bad as the last injury I had, but I’m definitely
worried about it,” Johnson said. “It just didn’t feel right.”

After Johnson went down, Foster took over the offensive load, carrying 10
times on Houston’s decisive drive. Foster scored on a 1-yard run with 6:05 left,
and then it was up to the Texans’ defense to finish.

Atlanta got the ball back with 59 seconds left, and Ryan threw a deep pass
to Julio Jones(notes) to the Texans 25. But Ryan overthrew Roddy White(notes) in one corner of
the end zone and Kareem Jackson(notes) swatted away a pass to Jones in the other corner
as time expired.

“I had the opportunity to make that play and I just had to come up with the
catch at the end,” Jones said.

Ryan completed 20 of 46 passes for 267 yards with two touchdowns, but also
threw two interceptions. The Texans have intercepted a pass in 11 consecutive
games.

“We played in spurts,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. “We didn’t do the
things we wanted to accomplish. We had way too many dropped footballs, way too
many things that we normally don’t do.”

After Johnson went down, Foster kept Houston on track, converting a
fourth-and-1 with a 7-yard run to the Atlanta 2. The Texans took more than 10
minutes off the clock with the decisive, 19-play drive, which tied a team
record.

Notes: Sunday was the ninth game this season in which the Texans have held
an opponent under 20 points. … Tony Gonzalez(notes) has a catch in 175 consecutive
games, the league’s longest active streak. The tight end also reached 60
receptions for the 13th consecutive season, an NFL record. … The Texans had a
positive turnover ratio (plus-1) for the eighth time in 12 games. … Houston
has already matched its highest single-season win total (9-7 in 2009).

Yates threw a touchdown pass, Arian Foster rushed for 111 yards and Houston overcame another injury to Andre Johnson to beat Atlanta 17-10.

The Texans (9-3) have won a franchise-record six straight games, a remarkable feat considering they’re down to their third-string quarterback and have played the bulk of their streak without their star receiver.

“This is a league of talented players,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “First-teamers, second-teamers, third-teamers — I think we had the advantage on paper, but you’ve always got to go out and play the game. It doesn’t matter who was on the other side.”

Johnson left in the third quarter after hurting his left hamstring. He injured his right hamstring in Week 4, underwent minor surgery and sat out six games.

Coach Gary Kubiak said after the game that he was told the injury was not severe, but he couldn’t be certain until Johnson underwent tests Monday.

The Falcons (7-5) sputtered offensively much of the day and lost for just the second time in seven games. Houston’s top-ranked defense knocked down two passes by Matt Ryan in the end zone in the closing seconds.

“We had opportunities to make some plays and we didn’t make them,” Ryan said. “It’s disappointing.”

Atlanta hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in its previous 14 games and entered having allowed the second-fewest yards rushing per game in the NFL.

“We figured they would run the ball (and) that is what they did,” Atlanta linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “They mixed the run with the pass and they kept us off guard. We really couldn’t pin our ears back and play solid defense.”

Yates was thrust into his pro debut last week in Jacksonville when Matt Leinart broke his collarbone. Leinart was starting in place of Matt Schaub, who broke his right foot in Houston’s previous game.

Smith wasn’t surprised that the Texans were able to play well with Yates at quarterback.

“It is a system offense,” Smith said. “It is based on the running game and, so, regardless of whom the quarterback is, there are the same actions.”

The Falcons couldn’t capitalize on Yates’ biggest mistake, either.

Early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Mike Peterson intercepted and returned for an apparent touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter. But cornerback Dunta Robinson and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon were both called for defensive holding.

Foster kept the drive going with a 12-yard scamper and finished the 19-play march with a 1-yard run with 6:05 left.

Then it was up to the Texans’ defense to finish.

Atlanta got the ball back with 59 seconds left, and Ryan threw a deep pass to Julio Jones to the Texans 25. But Ryan overthrew Roddy White in one corner of the end zone and Kareem Jackson swatted away a pass to Jones in the other corner as time expired.

“I had the opportunity to make that play and I just had to come up with the catch at the end,” Jones said.

Ryan completed 20 of 46 passes for 267 yards, but also threw two interceptions.

Johnson pulled in a 50-yard pass from Yates to the Atlanta 5 in the second quarter. Yates then snapped a quick pass to Joel Dreessen for his first career TD.

Ryan completed three passes to Tony Gonzalez to get the Falcons moving. Atlanta drove and finished with a 19-yard field goal by Matt Bryant.

Yates took a hard hit from John Abraham early in the third quarter, but Abraham was disappointed they weren’t able to disrupt him more.

“It was our fault for not getting him down,” Abraham said. “We got a few good pressures on him. But there’s a difference between making him move and making him take hits and getting him on the ground. We didn’t get him on the ground that much. He did a good job.”

Ryan kick-started Atlanta’s best drive of the game with an 18-yard pass to Gonzalez. Jones made an over-the-shoulder catch to the Houston 4, and Ryan found White wide-open for the tying score with 1:46 left in the third quarter.

Notes: Gonzalez has a catch in 175 consecutive games, the league’s longest active streak. Gonzalez also reached 60 receptions for the 13th consecutive season, an NFL record. … The Texans had a positive turnover ratio (plus-1) for the eighth time in 12 games. … Houston has already matched its highest single-season wins total (9-7 in 2009).

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The surging Atlanta Falcons appeared to have the advantage
heading into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, whose rookie
quarterback T.J. Yates was making his first NFL start.

It didn’t turn out that way.

Yates threw a touchdown pass, Arian Foster rushed for 111 yards
and Houston overcame another injury to Andre Johnson to beat
Atlanta 17-10.

The Texans (9-3) have won a franchise-record six straight games,
a remarkable feat considering they’re down to their third-string
quarterback and have played the bulk of their streak without their
star receiver.

“This is a league of talented players,” Falcons coach Mike Smith
said. “First-teamers, second-teamers, third-teamers _ I think we
had the advantage on paper, but you’ve always got to go out and
play the game. It doesn’t matter who was on the other side.”

Johnson left in the third quarter after hurting his left
hamstring. He injured his right hamstring in Week 4, underwent
minor surgery and sat out six games.

Coach Gary Kubiak said after the game that he was told the
injury was not severe, but he couldn’t be certain until Johnson
underwent tests Monday.

The Falcons (7-5) sputtered offensively much of the day and lost
for just the second time in seven games. Houston’s top-ranked
defense knocked down two passes by Matt Ryan in the end zone in the
closing seconds.

“We had opportunities to make some plays and we didn’t make
them,” Ryan said. “It’s disappointing.”

Atlanta hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in its previous 14
games and entered having allowed the second-fewest yards rushing
per game in the NFL.

“We figured they would run the ball (and) that is what they
did,” Atlanta linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “They mixed the run
with the pass and they kept us off guard. We really couldn’t pin
our ears back and play solid defense.”

Yates was thrust into his pro debut last week in Jacksonville
when Matt Leinart broke his collarbone. Leinart was starting in
place of Matt Schaub, who broke his right foot in Houston’s
previous game.

Smith wasn’t surprised that the Texans were able to play well
with Yates at quarterback.

“It is a system offense,” Smith said. “It is based on the
running game and, so, regardless of whom the quarterback is, there
are the same actions.”

The Falcons couldn’t capitalize on Yates’ biggest mistake,
either.

Early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Mike Peterson
intercepted and returned for an apparent touchdown on the second
play of the fourth quarter. But cornerback Dunta Robinson and
linebacker Sean Weatherspoon were both called for defensive
holding.

Foster kept the drive going with a 12-yard scamper and finished
the 19-play march with a 1-yard run with 6:05 left.

Then it was up to the Texans’ defense to finish.

Atlanta got the ball back with 59 seconds left, and Ryan threw a
deep pass to Julio Jones to the Texans 25. But Ryan overthrew Roddy
White in one corner of the end zone and Kareem Jackson swatted away
a pass to Jones in the other corner as time expired.

“I had the opportunity to make that play and I just had to come
up with the catch at the end,” Jones said.

Ryan completed 20 of 46 passes for 267 yards, but also threw two
interceptions.

Johnson pulled in a 50-yard pass from Yates to the Atlanta 5 in
the second quarter. Yates then snapped a quick pass to Joel
Dreessen for his first career TD.

Ryan completed three passes to Tony Gonzalez to get the Falcons
moving. Atlanta drove and finished with a 19-yard field goal by
Matt Bryant.

Yates took a hard hit from John Abraham early in the third
quarter, but Abraham was disappointed they weren’t able to disrupt
him more.

“It was our fault for not getting him down,” Abraham said. “We
got a few good pressures on him. But there’s a difference between
making him move and making him take hits and getting him on the
ground. We didn’t get him on the ground that much. He did a good
job.”

Ryan kick-started Atlanta’s best drive of the game with an
18-yard pass to Gonzalez. Jones made an over-the-shoulder catch to
the Houston 4, and Ryan found White wide-open for the tying score
with 1:46 left in the third quarter.

Notes: Gonzalez has a catch in 175 consecutive games, the
league’s longest active streak. Gonzalez also reached 60 receptions
for the 13th consecutive season, an NFL record. … The Texans had
a positive turnover ratio (plus-1) for the eighth time in 12 games.
… Houston has already matched its highest single-season wins
total (9-7 in 2009).

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston coach Gary Kubiak would’ve told anyone who asked that the Texans were going to be fine with rookie
T.J. Yates playing quarterback.

He was right.

Yates threw a touchdown pass in his first NFL start,
Arian Foster
rushed for 111 yards and Houston overcame another injury to
Andre Johnson
to beat Atlanta 17-10 on Sunday.

The Texans (9-3) have won a franchise-record six straight games, a remarkable feat considering they’re down to their third-string
quarterback and have played many of their games without their star receiver.

The Falcons (7-5) sputtered offensively most of the game in losing for the second time in seven games. Houston’s top-ranked
defense knocked down two passes by
Matt Ryan
in the end zone in the closing seconds.

Kubiak couldn’t bear to watch the final play, turning his back and walking down the sideline. When the ball hit the turf and
the crowd cheered, general manager Rick Smith told Kubiak what happened and patted him on the back.

“It’s a great win,” Kubiak said, “because of everything this team has been through.”

Yates went 12-for-25 for 188 yards without an interception, an impressively poised performance after a dizzying week.

“I test my guys the night before every game,” Kubiak said, “and when I tested him, I was so impressed. I went in there and
told the whole team, ‘I wish you could have been in there. He is ready to play.”‘

The fifth-round pick was thrust into his pro debut last week in Jacksonville when
Matt Leinart
broke his collarbone. Leinart was starting in place of
Matt Schaub
, who broke a Lisfranc joint in his right foot in Houston’s previous game.

The 24-year-old Yates went 8-for-15 for 70 yards in his earlier-than-expected debut against the Jaguars. He was sacked three
times by the Falcons, but never looked overwhelmed.

“I was extremely comfortable out there,” Yates said. “Coach Kubiak, throughout the week, we had a lot of talks and he instilled
a lot of confidence in me.”

Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp worked day and night preparing Yates for the Falcons’
ninth-ranked defense. When Kubiak quizzed Yates at the end of the week, he knew the rookie was ready.

“The job they did with that kid in the quarterback room was tremendous,” Kubiak said. “It’s been a heck of a challenge. T.J.
held up his end of the bargain well.”

Johnson looked like he’d be Yates’ go-to guy early, making leaping catches on the quarterback’s first two completions. The
All-Pro receiver also atoned for an earlier drop by pulling in a perfect 50-yard pass from Yates to the Atlanta 5 in the second
quarter.

Yates then snapped a quick pass to tight end
Joel Dreessen
for his first career TD, and chants of “T.J.! T.J.!” emerged from the capacity crowd.

“I was studying my butt off all week long,” Yates said, “and it paid off.”

Naturally, the Texans couldn’t make it through a game without more adversity.

Johnson left in the third quarter after hurting his left hamstring. He injured his right hamstring in Week 4, underwent minor
surgery and sat out six games.

Kubiak said after the game that he was told the injury was not severe, but he couldn’t be certain until Johnson underwent
tests on Monday.

“I don’t think you ever know about the hamstrings until the next day,” Kubiak said.

After Johnson went down, Foster ably took over the offensive load, carrying 10 times on Houston’s decisive drive.

Yates got lucky on his worst throw of the game, a pass to Foster that linebacker
Mike Peterson
intercepted and returned for an apparent touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter.

But cornerback
Dunta Robinson
and linebacker
Sean Weatherspoon
were both called for defensive holding and the Texans retained possession.

Foster kept the drive going with a 12-yard scamper and finished the 19-play march with a 1-yard run with 6:05 left.

Then it was up to the Texans’ defense to finish.

Atlanta got the ball back with 59 seconds left, and Ryan threw a deep pass to
Julio Jones
to the Texans 25. But Ryan overthrew
Roddy White
in one corner of the end zone and
Kareem Jackson
swatted away a pass to Jones in the other corner as time expired.

“I had the opportunity to make that play and I just had to come up with the catch at the end,” Jones said.

Ryan completed 20 of 46 passes for 267 yards with two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. The Texans have intercepted
a pass in 11 consecutive games.

“We played in spurts,” Atlanta coach
Mike Smith
said. “We didn’t do the things we wanted to accomplish. We had way too many dropped footballs, way too many things that we
normally don’t do.”

After Johnson went down, Foster kept Houston on track, converting a fourth-and-1 with a 7-yard run to the Atlanta 2. The Texans
took more than 10 minutes off the clock with the decisive, 19-play drive, which tied a team record.

Notes: Atlanta allowed a 100-yard rusher for the first time in 15 games. … Gonzalez has a catch in 175 consecutive games,
the league’s longest active streak. Gonzalez also reached 60 receptions for the 13th consecutive season, an NFL record. …
The Texans had a positive turnover ratio (plus-1) for the eighth time in 12 games. … Houston has already matched its highest
single-season win total (9-7 in 2009).

© 2011 STATS LLC