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

[Arky]

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

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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.