2011 NFL Predictions Week 6: The moment the news about Peyton Manning not being able to start the 2011 season, the Houston Texans went from pretenders top contenders in the AFC South. As expected, the Texans sit atop the Division tied for the best record with the (3-2) Tennessee Titans. But those expectations are about to get tougher in the Lone Star State, as the Texans have lost a key member for the remainder of the season.
According to reports, Houston defensive end, Mario Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the season. 
Williams, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday’s 20-25 loss to the Oakland Raiders, will be placed on injured reserve and will undergo surgery in the days to come, according to head coach Gary Kubiak.
“I feel so bad for Mario, because he’s such a heck of a player,” Kubiak said. “He had really taken to the position he’s playing. He was improving every day in practice, improving in every game. I’d never seen him so upbeat about what was going on.”
Williams injury occurred late in the first quarter, when he attempted to sack Raiders quarterback, Jason Campbell. How will this affect the Texans the rest of the way in chasing a division title? Can this team win 2011 NFL Predictions Week 6 without its best defensive player? Get $50 in Free NFL Picks Here!
The (3-2) Houston Texans [+7] first test will not be an easy one, as they’ll take on the NFL Betting Odds favorite (3-1) Baltimore Ravens [-7] in Week 6 at M&T Bank Stadium. This game, which kicks off at 4 PM ET Sunday on CBS, has an OVER/UNDER mark set at 45 points.
The rest of the Texans injury report looks like this:
QB Matt Schaub (day to day): Sore throwing shoulder & thigh bruise.
FB James Casey (day to day): Strained pectoral muscle.
RG Mike Brisiel (unclear): Ankle & knee injuries.
WR Andre Johnson (unclear) injured right hamstring.
“His rehab has picked up,” Kubiak said of AJ, “so we’ll see where he’s at each day.”
