Official Texans @ Eagles Game Thread, 12/23/2018

[Arky]

The 10-4 Texans head to Philadelphia this Sunday to take on the 7-7 Eagles in an early game on Sunday. The Texans are coming off a 29-22 road win over the NY Jets and the Eagles are coming off a 30-23 road win over the LA Rams. The Eagles are still alive for playoff contention but will probably need to win out to qualify.

Texans are 0-4 all time vs. the Eagles.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday, 12/23/2018

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

The line = Eagles by 2½

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = Tampa Bay @ Dallas, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

CBS (late) = Pittsburgh @ New Orleans, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

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Saturday games:

NFLN = Washington @ Tennessee, 3:30 PM CST, Curt Menefee, Nate Burleson, Steve Mariucci

NFLN = Baltimore @ LA Chargers, 7:00 PM CST, Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner

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Prime time:

SNF = Kansas City @ Seattle (NBC)

MNF = Denver @ Oakland (ESPN)

(note: no TNF this week)

[Arky]

Sean Pendergast - NFL Week 16: Texans-Eagles — Four Things To Watch For:

..........................................
2. Nick Foles and the tight end reprieve
It's no secret that covering tight ends has not been high on the list of things the Texans' defense does well, so not only do the Texans avoid having to play Carson Wentz (Eagles QB, done for the season with a messed up back), but Wentz's replacement Nick Foles doesn't do nearly the peppering of the tight end position that Wentz does. (I'm also a believer that Foles is just not as good a player as Wentz, but every time I say that, he goes and beats the Rams in LA, or wins Super Bowl MVP.) TE Zach Ertz had built up a 100-catch season with Wentz tossing him the ball every week. Last week, against LA, Ertz was an afterthought. Now, the flip side of that is Foles likes to get the ball into the hands of his wide receivers, but I don't think that the Eagles' top WR threats (Alshon Jeffrey, Golden Tate, Nelson Agholor) are the downfield burner types that the Texans have struggled with the last few weeks (Calloway, Hilton, Anderson). Hoping for a "get right" day for the Texans' pass coverage on Sunday!

1. Where for art thou, D'Onta?
Lamar Miller got banged up (ankle) in the Jets game on Saturday, leaving Texan fans with the harrowing reality of Alfred Blue as the lone healthy human being with an NFL carry at running back on their roster. The end result? Blue, nine carries, SIX yards. Yuck. This week, the Texans must activate Foreman on game day, even if Miller intends to suit up, as well. Foreman, of course, is coming off the Achilles tear that ended his rookie season a year ago. O'Brien had been tossing passive aggressive conditioning barbs Foreman's way in media sessions since Foreman returned from the PUP list, but now O'Brien needs him. A nearly fully healthy Foreman could be an underrated difference maker for the Texans on Sunday and into January.

SPREAD: Eagles -2.5
PREDICTION: Texans 23, Eagles 21
RECORD: 9-5 SU, 6-8 ATS

More at link.

[HPF Bob]

Really doesn't look like the Texans' week which means they will have to beat the Jagwads at home to win the division.

The only thing that might change the equation is if Hopkins and D-Thomas both go crazy.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Really doesn't look like the Texans' week which means they will have to beat the Jagwads at home to win the division.

The only thing that might change the equation is if Hopkins and D-Thomas both go crazy.

With the Titans winning yesterday (they are 9-6!) and assuming the Colts will get by the Giants today (which would make them 9-6), next week's Colts @ Titans matchup could be a game for a playoff spot. If Pittsburgh doesn't get by New Orleans, they could be out of it.....

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Miller and Coutee out today.....

[Arky]

Eagles on the board first with a long drive. On 4th and 2, Foles checks down to Sproles for 37 yards and the TD.

Eagles 7, Texans 0

6:32 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Texans get in the red zone but can't get in the end zone. Settle for a Fairbairn 30-yard FG.

Eagles 7, Texans 3

14:52 left in the half.

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Giants 14, Colts 0

[Arky]

Clowney with the sack/strip/fumble recovery at the Eagle 5! Watson runs it in on the next play!

Extra point no good.

Texans 9, Eagles 7

10:23 left in the half.

[Arky]

After about 33 plays in the red zone and using about 7 minutes on the drive, Foles hits Ertz for a 1 yard TD pass.

Two point try no good.

Eagles 13, Texans 9

3:08 left in the half.

[Keith]

These referees are straight guessing out here.

That said, Alfred Blue took a nasty late hit to the helmet... flag correctly thrown.

[Arky]

Watson drops back and decides to scramble in from 6 yards for the TD. Texans aided by some favorable penalties during the quick drive....

Texans 16, Eagles 13

1:17 left in the half.

[Arky]

Eagles mount a furious drive before halftime but run out of timeouts and short of FG range. Score remains:

Texans 16, Eagles 13

Hoping OB's excellent leading-at-halftime record kicks in here...

[Keith]

JJo out with a neck injury. The secondary already lost Kareem and Wright's replacement Kayvon Webster earlier this game.

And like that... TD to Agholor.

83-yards.

Eagles 23 Texans 16

[Keith]

Third quarter ends Texans still down 23-16 but driving. A couple nice passes from Watson to Hopkins have the offense on the move.

The lack of a creditable rushing offense and the lack of healthy cornerbacks telling the story to this point. Going to need the pass rush to step up on defense in the fourth quarter.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

JJo out with a neck injury. The secondary already lost Kareem and Wright's replacement Kayvon Webster earlier this game.

And like that... TD to Agholor.

83-yards.

Eagles 23 Texans 16

Thanks. I was filling out what was left of my picks in the pickem contest. Missed 7 of the early games. Could've sworn I completed them earlier. Oh well.

Texans trying to answer....

Oy, D Thomas injured. Davenport with the block in the back. Texans 1st and 20 in Philly territory. End of the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Check down to Ertz goes for the TD after the Watson strip sack fumble. 23 yards.

Extra point no good.

Eagles 29, Texans 16

10:21 left in the game.

D Thomas with an achilles injury.

[Arky]

After an Eagle turnover, the Texans finally find the end zone in the 2nd half. Watson hits Foreman on the 20-yard TD pass.

Eagles 29, Texans 23

4:41 left in the game.

[Arky]

Oh my god. Watson hits V Smith on the 35 yard deep pass! Texans can take the lead with the extra point.

Texans 30, Eagles 29

2:04 left in the game.

Let's go defense!

Colts pull one out of their butt. Win 28-27 over the Giants.

[Keith]

Wowowowwwwww… it a GD Christmas miracle.

Watson escaping amazing.
Amazing Hop receptions.

Fantastic TD reception by Vyncint Smith.

[Arky]

Philly drives down has a chance for the game winning FG with 3 seconds left. It will be a 35-yarder.

Eliot's FG is good.

Final score:

Eagles 32, Texans 30

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Just a fantastic and admirable comeback by Watson. This team has flaws and now some new injuries to deal with. When you win the turnover battle 3-1, you really shouldn't lose. Foles had 471 passings yards. Ertz and Agholor were a combined 17 for 226 yards.

Gotta have the win at home against Jax - needed it anyway......

[Arky]

(I think this is right):

Pittsburgh losing assures the Texans of a playoff spot. They need to beat the Jags to hang on to the #3 seed (or a win and the Pats losing to the Jets for the #2 seed). A Texan loss to the Jags will keep them from winning the division (Indy vs. Tenn winner would get that) but not from the playoffs....