Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Houston Texans: What To Look For

The Houston Texans got a badly-needed win over the floundering, now 2-6 Tennessee Titans.

I’m at least pleased that they beat a team that they were supposed to and looked good, for the most part, doing it.

The team has a tough test against a highly-charged Chip Kelly-run offense of the Philadelphia Eagles that they must stop.

It will be a reunion of sorts — four former Texans that made their mark while they were here will be donning the midnight green, silver, black, charcoal and white.

Those are: Connor Barwin, DeMeco Ryans, Bryan Braman and James Casey. We’ll see plenty of the first two as they are major contributors to the team.

Regardless, this will be a game to watch.

The Texans will be facing the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense averaging about 399 total yards per game.

That’s what in front of them so I don’t think it’s nothing that this team cannot bear.

They’ve been tested before and have done a solid job by being in every game with the exception of the New York Giants earlier this season.

Nonetheless, here’s some things to look for position-wise as both teams take the field tomorrow:

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) throws while under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defenders during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK: Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t have the best of games this past Sunday against the Titans. He surely got the job done but it was far from efficient — if it wasn’t for the Texans running game being sound, I’m afraid Fitz would’ve had to throw even more and definitely rack up some picks along the way. He went 19-for-35 for 227 yards and threw for one touchdown for a 83.9 QB rating. That’s nothing to write home about. He also didn’t record any picks but there were many close calls, there some bad throws that he made and several of his passes were tipped by the Titans’ defense. If the team were facing a better defense, those tips would’ve been interceptions. There is plenty of opportunity for Fitz to have a solid game against the Eagles and I think that’s what he’ll do. Although I think he will continue to stick with the plan of multiple hand-offs to Arian Foster, the Eagles are 26th in the pass rush, giving up about 267 yards a game so he has got to give it a go and it may be rewarding to him. Nick Foles is off to a solid start with a bit of sputtering here-and-there and is falling into the role of being the signal-caller for the Eagles. He already has 2,039 passing yards on the season and is rapidly approaching his total yards for 2013 at 2,891 yards. This is his first full season under center and the Eagles’ offense has been difficult to stop so far. He has 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions so far on the season for a passable 80.7 QB rating completing only 59 percent of his passes. The Texans’ secondary should be licking their chops when they see those stats. I don’t see an outstanding game of Foles but one that will be good enough to keep his team in the game. The Texans need to be there with every move he makes to pounce on opportunities to make plays.

Oct 26, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin (33) during the second half at LP Field. The Texans beat the Titans 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK: Foster has been sensational and has nearly 1,000 yards rushing in just six full games of action. The Texans offense is live-or-die for him and his presence changes offensive and defensive schemes alike. He had 20 carries for 151 yards, his highest single-game total of the season against the Titans. He also punched in two touchdowns with a 43-yard burst that we can all be proud of. He is in top-form at this point now and there’s nothing any defense can do to stop that. Expect another theatrical, century-mark laden game against the Eagles as well. The Eagles have two deadly weapons on the ground in LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles — the Texans’ front line must do everything they can to limit their effectiveness because the game will be out-of-reach if these guys starting running the football as if their life depended on it. The good news is that the Texans have elevated to 12th in the league — after a strong performance against the Titans — in run defense so it’s quite possible to do so. They’re down to just allowing 108 yards a game. It’s business as usual for Shady as he is 7th in the league in rush yards with 505 so far. STOP. THE. RUN!

Oct 26, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs with the ball after a reception against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Texans beat the Titans 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER: This is definitely a game I see our wide outs get some extensive touches against the Eagles’ lackluster pass rush. Let’s just hope that Fitz can make the best of the opportunities because he has the weapons to do it. DeAndre Hopkins was the Texans’ top receiver last week — he caught five balls for 95 yards with a 23-yard catch to his credit. Andre Johnson had the most receptions out of all of the wide outs with seven receptions for 55 yards. Fitz seemed to spread the ball around when not handing off to Foster and I expect the same to happen tomorrow. Andre Johnson is due for a good game with the home crowd tendering their full support. Speaking of full support, I’m sure that spirited blonde female fan who repeatedly spanked him in the rear after he scored a touchdown off a great catch against the Indianapolis Colts a few weeks back will be ready to lock-and-load! Ha! The Eagles will have Jeremy Maclin on-deck who is just as talented as his statistical numbers reflect. He is 10th in the league in regard to passing yards with 632 so far. His health has been an issue within the past few seasons but he has gotten through this season largely injury-free. This opens up so much opportunities for the Eagles — the secondary has got to keep a close eye and not let him get the sticky fingers. And the Eagles still have Riley Cooper, who had 835 yards receiving last season mostly because he was stepping in for Maclin while he was out. He can be just as dangerous along with their third wide out in Jordan Matthews. Keep your eye on all three receivers because Foles can use them at any time depending on how our coverages are structured.

Oct 26, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second half at LP Field. The Texans beat the Titans 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSE (FRONT 7 & SECONDARY): The Front 7 continues to get better as a whole as they have been stingy with the rushing yards as of late. I hope they continue this trend and I don’t see any reason as to why they shouldn’t. Mike Mohamed was a healthy contributor last week with eight tackles and two assists against the Titans. Brian Cushing said that he is feeling “100 percent” and will likely be a go tomorrow although he is officially listed as questionable on the injury report. His presence will make a difference and I’m hopeful that he is out there to reunite and do battle with his old teammates. It will be business as usual for J.J. Watt as I expect him to be all over the field and he will get to Foles at least once for the sack. The Eagles offensive line does a solid job of protecting him — he has been sacked only seven times this season. But it’s nothing Watt can’t handle. D.J. Swearinger has shown signs of life with an interception last Sunday on Zach Mettenberger — he along with the rest of the secondary must make an all-out effort to defend the Eagles’ quick, conducive passing game. If they can’t, that might be the team’s Achilles’ Heel. Former Texans Barwin and Ryans will be on the Eagles’ front line — keep an eye on them as they’ll likely be amped up just a tad going against their former team. Nate Allen, who missed an important tackle that turned out to be a 75-yard catch down the stretch by the Arizona Cardinals’ John Brown last week, has seemed to have been raked over the coals by Eagles’ fans alike, especially in the Twittersphere. They fell to the Cardinals in a stunner 24-20. Kelly has lent his full support to Allen and squashed any rumors of them shopping for a safety. Allen is listed as questionable on the injury report but they will have Earl Wolff, Brandon Boykin, Chris Maragos and Jaylen Watkins to fill-in if needed. Keep your eye on Allen if he plays — he will be looking to redeem himself from last week’s blunder. Come on Texans’ secondary — it’s time to put up or shut up!