Falcons vs. Texans: 5 Key Halftime Stats for Atlanta

The Falcons have won 5 of 6, with Matt Ryan silencing some of his doubters with pro-bowl caliber play.

But today Atlanta's on the road against another team with playoff aspirations in the Houston Texans. This is a Texans team that has been severely weakened by injury, but so far they're giving Atlanta everything they can handle.

If Atlanta came into this game thinking Houston's rookie QB T.J. Yates was going to hand them the game on a platter, it's time to think again.

Let's look at 5 key stats from the first half:

100.0 - According to ESPN, the Falcons are 20-0 when Matt Ryan posts a rating over 100.0. As of posting time, he's at ... uh ... 18.2. That's not a typo. Matty ice is going to have to figure out the Texans' defense in the 2nd half for Atlanta to have a chance.

83.5 - The Falcons came into the game ranked 2nd overall in rushing yards allowed, at 83.5 yards per game. Meanwhile, with they're 3rd-string QB going today, the Texans have been forced to rely on the run even more than usual. Heading into the game, we knew that something had to give. They held Arian Foster and co. to 58 yards in the first half. They might have to do even better in the second half to come back for the victory.

3 - The number of turnovers in the game so far. Matt Ryan has been picked off twice already and T.J. Yates lost a fumble. All that and the game is perched at 10-3. The winner could well be the team that holds onto the ball better in the second half, wins the field position battle, and can eek out a touchdown or two.

11:51 - The amount of time Atlanta possessed the ball in the first half. Coming into the game you would have thought between Michael Turner and a precise passing attack the Falcons could dominate the clock in this game, but so far it's actually the Texans who have chewed up more clock. That has to change for Atlanta to win the game.

11.0 - The average yards per catch of Falcons receiver Julio Jones. In previous weeks, Jones has emerged as a big-play threat for Atlanta. This week he's been stymied. Look for Atlanta to take some deep shots with Jones early in the second half. If they come off, the game could change complexion in a hurry.