MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch:

RB Arian Foster - Foster has had an unbelievable season so far compiling a league high 1230 yards on the ground and another 479 yards through the air. The second year undrafted back has transformed the Texans' offense from a one dimensional passing attack (ranked 30th in rushing last year) to a balanced dynamic offense. The Texans need a big game out of Foster tonight if they want a chance at winning the game.

DE Mario Williams - The 6'6" 295 lb defensive end has everything you look for in a defensive playmaker. Williams has had some big games this year, but has also disappeared at times. The Texans need Williams to play big and take some pressure off of the extremely porous secondary.

WR Jacoby Jones - When you play the Texans all the focus is generally on WR Andre Johnson, and rightfully so, as Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL. With S Ed Reed and the Ravens' secondary focusing primarily on Johnson, look for Jones to possibly have a break out game receiving or on special teams, where he returns both punts and kickoffs.

Key Matchup: QB Joe Flacco vs Texans Secondary - To say the Texans' secondary has been miserable may be an understatement. They have been carved up by pretty much every quarterback they have faced. Flacco is a good quarterback, but if they let him put up MVP type numbers they will not have a very good chance in this game considering how good the Ravens defense has been. The Texans front seven needs to pressure Flacco (he has been sacked 17 times in the last 5 games) and the secondary needs to step up and make plays when it matters tonight.

Why the Texans Will Win - Their offense can be as explosive as any. The Texans have shown this year that they can go up against some of the best defenses (Jets, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders) and still put up points. If QB Matt Schaub and their other playmakers can come out and play to their potential they will be able to score on the Ravens. The Ravens are more talented overall, but the Texans have some great individual talents such as Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, and Brian Cushing, all who can just take over a game. They need some big plays from each of them tonight.

Prediction: Texans 24 Ravens 20

AB's Monthly Mock: November shows no love to Locker

1. Buffalo (0-7) Andrew Luck
 (Need a franchise QB, simply put. Best QB prospect in the 2011 Draft)

2. Dallas (1-6) Patrick Peterson 
(secondary problems at the safety and cornerback level; Peterson's versatility will cover some of Dallas' glaring weaknesses on D)

3. Carolina (1-6) A.J. Green 
(Jimmy Clausen was drafted as a franchise QB; with Steve Smith often injured, Clausen needs young weapon)

4. San Francisco (2-6) Prince Amukamara 
(secondary problems in San Fran can be put to rest with this pick)

5. Denver (2-6) Robert Quinn
(freakish athlete who could start across Elvis Dumerville, creating the most fearsome pass rush in NFL)

6. Minnesota (2-5) Janoris Jenkins 
(aging secondary in Minnesota with Antoine Winfield; instant impact)

7. Detroit (2-5) Adrian Clayborn
 (best available player will play alongside Suh, centerpieces of the future for the Detroit Lions)

8. Cincinnati (2-5) Stephen Paea
 (Need 3-4 NT plug, Paea is as strong as an Ox and a prototypical NT; something tough to find nowadays)

9. Cleveland (2-5) Da’Quan Bowers 
(3-4 DE, immediate starter in Cleveland's weak front seven)

10. San Diego (3-5) Akeem Ayers 
(Shawn Merriman replacement; a better athlete and more fluid in coverage, Ayers should be perfect fit. Don't be surprised if Von Miller is taken here instead)

11. Arizona (3-4) Ryan Mallet 
(Need an arm that can sit in pocket and distribute to WR weapons; Can also see them drafting an OT as Faneca is aging and on contract yr)

12. St. Louis (4-4) Marcel Dareus
(Offense is ripe with talent, could see them draft Julio Jones here, but there are other options for RD 2. Dareus provides strength to a below average front seven)

13. New England - from Oakland (4-4) Mark Ingram
(Best pro RB prospect, former Heisman winner, should be an instant contributor)

14. Washington (4-4) Julio Jones 
(Badly in need of strong, young talent at the receiver position. Very physical receiver)

15. Jacksonville (4-4) Derek Sherrod
(Need to solidify line, Sherrod is most complete tackle prospect in the draft.)

16. Chicago (4-3) Nick Fairley
 (Missing a interior defensive force, Tommie Harris hasn't performed up to expectations. Fairley is dominant and will be a strong contributor)

17. Philadelphia (4-3) Bruce Carter
 (lack of talent at OLB will lead to a somewhat reach by the Eagles . Carter is an excellent playmaker)

18. Miami (4-3) Kyle Rudolph 
(losing Anthony Fasano to FA and Parcells likes Notre Dame prospects; best TE prospect in draft. Don't be surprised if they draft a playmaking RB, like JaQuizz Rodgers or Ryan Williams if they declare)

19. Houston (4-3) Ryan Kerrigan 
(will immediately start opposite M. Williams, one of the high upside players in my opinion, Kerrigan is a very intriguing prospect and is flying up The3-4's weekly Big Board)

20. Tennessee (5-3) Demarcus Love
(aging line; Demarcus Love provides depth and versatility, as he has started at nearly every singly O-Line position)

21. Seattle* (4-3) Gabe Carimi 
(road grading lineman, shores up RT position, further solidifying a young O-line. Best run blocking lineman in the draft)

22. Green Bay* (5-3) Demarco Murray
(playmaking RB who can be instant impact; receiving threat will make him intriguing talent. Could open up the playbook for Aaron Rodgers as he has never had a pass-catching running back in his tenure at GB)

23. Kansas City* (5-2) Von Miller 
(3-4 rush OLB start opposite Tamba Hali; Chiefs D looking strong)

24. Pittsburgh* (5-2) Marvin Austin 
(old d-line, revamp of talent beginning with Austin. Tomlin will whip him into shape and straighten out his character concerns)

25. New Orleans* (5-3) Cameron Heyward
(best run defending lineman available, Heyward is strong at the POA. Upside as good as anyone in the draft, has physical tools to succeed)

26. New York Jets* (5-2) Cameron Jordan 
(most explosive and disruptive player left on the board, Jordan can fit into any scheme but is perfect fit in Rex Ryan's 3-4 as a DE)

27. Tampa Bay* (5-2) Rodney Hudson 
(versatility and football IQ; Tampa Bay can build around a guy like Hudson for the future. Young football team, like the Chiefs, with lots of promise)

28. Baltimore* (5-2) Nate Solder 
(similarly built to Ogden of Ravens past, 6ft 9in 315 lbs; RT prospect who can add depth to a injury riddled line)

29. Atlanta* (5-2) Rahim Moore 
(ball hawking safety who will be an immediate start in a weak Falcons secondary)

30. Indianapolis* (5-2) Daniel Thomas 
(workhorse back who will take backfield over; soft hands will allow him to steal 3rd down carries his rookie yr)

31. New York Giants* (5-2) Allen Bailey 
(Talented player, similar to Jason Pierre Paul, a guy Giants reached for last season)

32. New England* (6-1) Jon Baldwin 
(vertical threat, who very well may be the most talented wr in draft. Randy Moss replacement)




*based on current NFL Standings
Mock Draft v11

MNF: Texans Perspective

Players to Watch

LB Brian Cushing- After missing four games because of suspension, last years defensive rookie of the year will be back on the field for his third start. The Texans defense, which is last in the NFL in yards allowed, is in desperate need of someone to step up and be a playmaker. With Cushing getting two games under his belt and a bye week to help get him back to form, I expect to see him all over the field making plays in this game.

DE Mario Williams - The key to beating Peyton Manning is getting a lot of pressure on him. That is exactly why the Texans used the first overall pick in the 2006 draft on DE Mario Williams. They need a big game out of Williams tonight, a couple of sacks would go a long way.

RB Arian Foster - Everyone trashed the Colts defense after Foster lit them up in week one and ran for 231 yards. I would expect the Colts defense to come out with a chip on their shoulder and do everything in their power to stop him. It will be interesting to see if Foster can still have a big game against the Colts porous defense.

Key Matchup: WR Andre Johnson vs Colts Secondary

Last game against the Colts, Andre Johnson was held to only 33 yards receiving. Since then Andre Johnson, who in my opinion is the best receiver in the NFL, has been dominant. Even with ankle problems Johnson has put up big numbers. I would be shocked if the Colts defense could shut down Johnson again. Look for him to have a big game against a Colts defense that does not have anyone that can match up with the 6'3" 225 lbs burner.

Why the Texans Will Win: The Texans were 1-15 against the Colts before beating them in week one. I think that win really boosted their confidence and got the monkey off of their back. The Texans should have a different swagger going into this game. It also helps that the Colts will be extremely thin on both sides of the ball tonight, with many key players down with injuries or questionable for the game. Look for this game to be a shootout between two great offenses and two poor defenses. The Texans will be able to pull this one off because they can both run and pass the ball effectively and they have a more talented team tonight.

Prediction: Texans 38 Colts 28