NFL Odds: Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans

Balance, a high conversion rate, ball security -- all the positive points of Atlanta’s 2010 campaign are starting to resurface this season.

The Falcons registered 22 first downs, converted 7 of 14 third downs and held onto the ball nine more minutes than the Vikings during a 24-14 victory Sunday. The home team pushed the NFL odds as a 10-point favorite.

Offensively, the balance was good. The Falcons gained 335 yards with Matt Ryan chucking it around a little more than usual. He was able to have a big day because most of Minnesota’s secondary was injured.

The Vikings were shut out in the first half and only managed 226 total yards. Adrian Peterson didn’t dress and the Falcons were able to extend their streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher to 15 games. They rank second in the league in run defense at 83.5 yards per.

All three phases of the team took the foot off the gas in the second half and nearly blew the lead. Unforced errors and mental mistakes are aspects keeping Atlanta from playing at the level it did last year.

The Falcons were without cornerback Kelvin Hayden in Week 12 and fellow starter Brent Grimes suffered a knee injury and had to leave. Julio Jones returned but was limited and didn’t record a catch.

Injuries to the Atlanta secondary may not matter much Sunday because the Texans aren’t expected to throw the ball much. They will be trotting out their third- or fourth-string quarterback in Week 13.

After Matt Schaub was shelved for the season with a foot injury, Matt Leinart had his chance to prove he could be a starter in the NFL. That chance lasted less than two quarters as Leinart suffered a broken collarbone on a takedown by a Jacksonville defender Sunday.