Houston Texans (8-3)

Remaining schedule: vs. Atlanta (7-4); at Cincinnati; vs. Carolina (3-8); at Indianapolis; vs. Tennessee (6-5).

Their chances: About three weeks ago, the Texans were anointed the team to beat in the AFC. They had one of the league's top-ranked defenses, the reigning NFL rushing champion in Arian Foster, and a solid quarterback in Matt Schaub. Andre Johnson, one of the league's best wide receivers, was close to returning from a hamstring injury, further brightening the Texans' outlook.

Then Schaub was lost for the season two weeks ago with a foot injury, and backup Matt Leinart broke his collarbone Sunday, leaving the quarterback position in the hands of T.J. Yates, a rookie fifth-round pick out of North Carolina.

Houston appears set with Yates as the starter, and his first task will be trying to beat a Falcons team Sunday that has won five of its past six games.

The Ravens have already beaten the Texans this season -- a 29-14 decision in Week 6 -- and are 5-0 against them all time.

November 27, 2011