clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Falcons Vs. Texans: Could Jake Delhomme Succeed Against His Favorite Opponent?

We've seen recent in-season quarterback additions sit out their first week with their new NFL teams this season - Carson Palmer took a week to acclimate with the Raiders, and new Chief Kyle Orton watched as Pittsburgh beat Kansas City on Sunday night. 

So it's highly probable the Falcons won't see their old NFC South foe Jake Delhomme, late of the New Orleans Saints and the longtime starter for the Carolina Panthers, signed Tuesday by the Houston Texans. That could be considered a good thing - Delhomme has thrown for more yards against Atlanta than any other franchise (2,780 yards) in 13 career games against the Falcons despite having a losing record overall against the Birds (6-7). 

The only team Delhomme has started as many games against is NFC South neighbor Tampa Bay. Against the Falcons Delhomme has a 61.2 completion rate for 16 TDs and 10 interceptions, but the veteran quarterback's career spans several Falcons coaching staffs and schemes. In Atlanta's current Dimitroff/Smith reign, Delhomme is only 2-3 (four games with Carolina, one loss last season starting for Cleveland), most recently throwing only 97 yards and two interceptions in a 20-10 Falcons win over the Browns in October of 2010.

Delhomme has been a competent and at times flashy quarterback against Atlanta when he's surrounded by elite teams (like this Houston club). When he's been forced to lead subpar squads, he's struggled against the Falcons.

Fore more on the Falcons, check out The Falcoholic. For info on the Houston Texans, check out Battle Red Blog, and for everything NFL, visit SB Nation's NFL page.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.