• March 29, 2024

Eagles-Texans Pregame Thoughts

  • johnsonThis is a very important game for Nick Foles. We’ve got to see him come out and prove that he can play a clean game with no turnovers. Against a very average Houston pass defense, the stage is set for the quarterback to come out and enjoy a very productive afternoon. 
  • J.J. Watt and Arian Foster are tremendous talents, but the Houston team as a whole just isn’t very good.
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick is about as mediocre a starter as you can find in this league. He can’t get the Houston aerial attack going, and this offense basically goes as far as Arian Foster can take them week to week.
  • Just how good has Foster been this year? He’s got six 100-yard games in seven starts, and has found the endzone nine times.
  • That said, the Eagles shouldn’t sleep on Andre Johnson. The talented wideout still has a lot of good football left in him. Before last week, Larry Fitzgerald was making very little impact, but exploded once matched up against the terrible secondary. The same opportunity is going to be there for Johnson today.
  • Can’t understate how important the return of Jason Kelce is for this offensive line. David Molk has done a fair job in his absence, but Molk is so undersized that it really puts the Eagles at a disadvantage in certain situations.
  • I don’t know how long Todd Herremans is going to be able to go with a torn bicep. That’s an excruciating injury to play through, and I would be very surprised if he’s able to finish the season.
  • Chip Kelly has done so many puzzling things this year in terms of playcalling. We’ve seen consistently baffling redzone playcalling and play design throughout the year, especially in the redzone. How are the tight ends on this team not being utilized more, especially Zach Ertz? I understand that the state of the offensive line has required the team to use the tight ends more as blockers, but I just think its inexcusable for a bright guy like Kelly to not find ways to get a weapon like Ertz more involved.
  • LeSean McCoy hasn’t had 20 or more receiving yards in a game since Week 2.
  • I really think Kelly needs to think long and hard about using Chris Polk as the team’s primary goalline back. Of course, McCoy is the much more talented back, but picking up short, tough yards is one area of weakness in his game. McCoy is a finesse runner that is much more suited to excel in the open field, while Polk is much more of a bulldozer that just runs straight ahead. Teams across the league use certain running backs as goalline specialists over their featured guys, and I don’t think its unreasonable for the Eagles to do the same.
  • After getting burned by speedster John Brown a week ago, a guy the Eagles need to watch this week is DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has great speed and he’ll be able to get open deep.
  • Former Eagle Damaris Johnson has carved out a nice role for himself with the Texans. He’s made a few plays for them as both a receiver and a returner.
  • This week will be a homecoming for DeMeco Ryans, Connor Barwin, and a couple other guys on this roster. It will be particularly interesting to see how Ryans and Barwin respond to the opportunity to play against the team that let them go.

Final Thoughts/Projected Outcome

After suffering a loss to the Cardinals last week, I have to believe that the Eagles come out and play a much more complete and focused game than they did a week ago.

I think the two biggest keys today are for Foles to avoid turnovers and for the Eagles’ defense to force Fitzpatrick into some key mistakes of his own. Someone in this secondary other than Malcolm Jenkins needs to step up and make a play. All three of the team’s interceptions belong to Jenkins.

I don’t see Fitzpatrick outscoring the Eagles’ offense.

Pick: Eagles 30, Texans 20

 

Denny Basens

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paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 9:51 am

Don’t like this natch-up at all today

1) Eagles have Turned the Ball Over 17 Times
2) Texans Defense lead the NFL in creating 17 Turnovers
3) Eagles struggle in Red-Zone, settling for too many FG’s
4) Texans have strong Rushing attack with Foster/Blue
5) Texans D has a strong Pass Rush
6) Texans at Home where the play pretty well

Texans 31 – Eagles 27

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 10:10 am

Alex had 1 Goal and 2 Assists in the Playoffs so a strong finish and
Something to build on for High Country Soccer..

zilents44
zilents44
November 2, 2014 10:14 am

reports out of washington decision to start rg3 is from dan synder and bruce allen lol gruden just another slave to dan synder lol love that owners in our divison ruin their own teams

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 2, 2014 10:24 am

Reports… Bob has alienated the locker room!

zilents44
zilents44
November 2, 2014 10:36 am
Reply to  haveacigar

lol he was probally so pissed when cousins played good then after colt took over he was like damn now i gotta beat out this white boy lol cant win for losing yo dan this bob tell your coach to start me or else we aint friends no more i got u bestie now u are riding in my limo wit me this week right. of course u my man plus i cant stand these dudes in this locker room

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 11:01 am
Reply to  haveacigar

The Redskins should Ride the McCoy Train as long as he’s playing well and Winning.. Go with the hot hand, I have to admit,
He’s looked pretty good for them.,

deserteagle
deserteagle
November 2, 2014 10:34 am

With the re-emergence of Kelce ..sproles..Kendrick (all snaps) ..I’m looking differently at this from P man..it’s an AFC opponnent ..we know that there will be a loser in dallas vs az..we win win either way …I don’t think coach let’s this one get away ..back to back road losses won’t be acceptable …I look for a lot less stress …than most …screens will be back ..in the playbook ,check downs ..a higher tempo game ,with the refs not throwing flags every other play …

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 11:05 am
Reply to  deserteagle

If the Eagles convert in Red-Zone and Foles protects the ball,
They should win easily, which is what we all want to see,
But the trends and stats for this Season don’t reflect this and until they prove otherwise, it will be a struggle..
Kelce is a huge positive, though I expect him to be a little rusty
Coming back, Sproles matched up on their OLB
Is a huge mismatch and Eagles TE’s are a big favor to Eagles as well
Again it will get down to executing and punching it in for 7 instead of FG’s
Which keeps the Texans in it,,

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 12:51 pm

Eagles Inactivex Today
QB Matt Barkley,
C/G Justin Vandervelde
OT Dennis Kelly
WR Brad Smitj
Safety Nate Allen
OLB Marcus Smith
DE Taylor Hart

Texans have J Clowney, LB B Cushing
WR Devier Posey , OT Doug Adams , QB Tom Savage
and some backup Players
Players

deserteagle
deserteagle
November 2, 2014 1:01 pm

Pman agree ..with the inclusion of Kelce getting out athletically on screens …they need run right at watt…pound the rock game …safe bubble screens ..not asking foles to do too much …plus Polk is an added weapon between the tackles..hoping there are 25-30 touches on the run game

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:12 pm

Pressure right up the gut on 1st play, then Peters whiffs on the 3rd. Ouch. Oline still a mess.

Thank goodness Houston penalty.

Isn;t it annoying watching Reid with his run 1st “grind it out” offense in KC. A 7 minute drive to score on the opening possession? DId that ever happen in Philly?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:14 pm

Matthews has to stop letting the ball into his chest.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:15 pm

Palmer in a big game on the road throwing a pick-6….what a surprise.

But Songs”Cutler”Breeze likes him better!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:18 pm

This Foles guy sucks.

Maclin too.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:21 pm

Beautiful deep ball airstrike…from Foles to Jmac. Perfect timing. Somewhere songs and kool just cringed and threw up as they yelled Nooooo!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:33 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

FOLES…is Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde…what he giveth…he taketh away.
That was brutal…just brutal..

jayray823
jayray823
November 2, 2014 1:36 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

I was about to say the same exact thing.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:21 pm

I hope every teams starting corners are injured for the rest of Foles career here.

He’d be a lock for Canton.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:23 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Luckiest QB in the league.

zilents44
zilents44
November 2, 2014 1:31 pm

and then he does that

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
November 2, 2014 1:33 pm

Until Foles plays multiple consistent turnover free hashes he sucks and shouldn’t be acknowledge as anything outside if a stopgap.

Sorry but if you are going to praise him destroy when he does something as fucking terrible as that throw.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:35 pm

Terrible.

Good with the bad?? That’s what I’m still rolling with.

I know what he was trying to do….saw Cooper 1-on-1…but bad call……..

Why come out with a throw though? Up 7 and Eagles have 10 passes and 1 run.

That’s stupid.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
November 2, 2014 1:39 pm

Youre making excuses Vinny. That was fucking terrible.

POINT BLANK PERIOD

Same mistakes over and over again. That’s ridiculous. And I like the kid but this is middle of season.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:42 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

I think I said terrible.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:43 pm

But it is 14 passes 3 runs which is also terrible.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:41 pm

Foles being evaluated on sideline . Mark Sanchez warming up on sideline for next series.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:41 pm

uh oh

daggolden
daggolden
November 2, 2014 1:41 pm

Look for the Eagles to trade shady and multiple picks to get in the top 3 of next years draft.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:45 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Can’t trade his salary. But I agree, they would if they could.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:42 pm

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:42 pm

I NEED SANCHEZ TO SHOW UP HERE!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:43 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

You NEEEEEED it

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:44 pm

Ok songsiskoolbreeze 2, the moment you have been pining for will happen. Lets see if the offense looks any different as far as play calling, execution or read option.

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 1:45 pm

Our defense is a top 6 this season period. These boys show up week n and week out and battle there hearts out. Sure they might give up some yards sometimes but there hasnt been ONE game this seasoan where they didnt play good enough for us to win.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:46 pm
Reply to  CT

Except last week with 1:22 to go.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:46 pm

COME ON SANCHEZ!!!!!

A TD DRIVE RIGHT HERE SEALS THAT BUM ASS FOLE’S FATE!

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:48 pm

yes!!!!!!!!

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 1:48 pm

Time to start giving these boy come credit. There only an Elite outside corner and one more pass rusher/runstopper away from being unstoppable.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:48 pm

Great throw by Sanchez…weak penalty call. No fun league

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:54 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Wait a sec. WHen a WR is wide open for a td, but has to hold up and wait for the ball its a “great throw”??? Because last week it meant “weak arm”. Its all so confusing.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:49 pm

that’s a quick release!!!!!

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 1:49 pm

And Vinne for the game to come down to that John Brown touchdown is inexusable. We shot ourselves in the foot in atleast 3-4 occasions in that game. Even Skip Bayless said we shoulda won the game LOL.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:50 pm

This offense is faster and better with Sanchez.

bluenote
bluenote
November 2, 2014 8:19 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

yes

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:51 pm

Beautiful pass and great catch by Jordan Mathews…very good hands catch.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:51 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Hopefully that will continue.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:51 pm

Well there we go…tight windows. tough throws!

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
November 2, 2014 1:51 pm

Lol motherfucking Sanchez

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:51 pm

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

NO FREAKIN HESITATION IN THE RED ZONE!!!!!!

THANKS….

REDZONE PROBLEMS SOLVED!

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
November 2, 2014 1:53 pm

WHO THE FUCK SAID MACLIN WAS AVERAGE….LMAO

TOLD YOU FOOLS . WHO DON’T KNOW SHIT BUT HYPE KID WAS A BEAST.

FUCKING DICKRIDING DUMBASSES

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:53 pm

NOW, IF FOLES LOSE HIS STARTING JOB DUE TO INJURY AND STILL RIDE THE PINE ONCE HEALTHY WE CAN OFFICIALLY THAT A BENCHING.

CORRECT?

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:54 pm

BUTT FUMBLE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD HUH?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 1:57 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Never. Ever, judge a QB coming off the bench. Only evaluate the following week on his start….otherwise Cousins, Weeden, and a milllion other nobodies would be starting…..because they all came off the bench and kicked ass.

BTW – I am happy with that last drive. I am happy Sanchez looks good right now. Though I temper it with knowledge of Sanchez’s history.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 1:58 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

As an Eagles fan…whoever is under center I wany them to perform at a top level. Sanchez must do it over a period of games….

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 1:56 pm

I don’t have the game on down here in NC and am too busy to get out to a Sports Bar And I hate to hear about Foles injury, but this May be the turning point of the Season for the Eagles Offense for the good…
I believe very strongly that Mark Sanchez can move the Offense very efficiently and will excel in Chip Kelly’s up-tempo pace as I stated all Summer..
Let’s Go Sanchez & Eagles…

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 1:58 pm

QUICK RELEASE- CHECK

FAST PACE – CHECK

SCORE IN RED ZONE – CHECK

FOLES IS SHIT!

NOW, LOOK AT FOLES IN THE SAME GAME AND COMPARE THE OFFENSE WHEN SANCHEZ CAME IN.

YES!

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 2:01 pm

Lol Everyone calm down. Im excited too but shit. Oonly with Eagles fans this tends to happen hahaha. Mark Sanzhez is playing against the Houston Texans. One of the worst secondaries in the lead. If Mark can do this consistently then hell yeah. But I wouldnt bet on it

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:04 pm
Reply to  CT

SO WE CAN GIVE FOLES CREDIT WHEN HE BEAT THE LIKES OF THE RAIDERS…BUT SANCHEZ CARVING UP A GOOD “D” IN HOUSTON IS NOTHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT?

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 2:11 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

It’s one game dude. Foles has proven he can do it with 29tds and 2ins. This is Mark Sanchez were talking about. Sure he was put into some tough situtions, but he has been a dud his whole career.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
November 2, 2014 2:02 pm

Damn I like Josh Huff but this kid is killing me

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:02 pm

I CAN ACCEPT THOSE KINDS OF INT…..

DROPPED BALL!

FOLES THROWS RIGHT TO THE OPPOSING CORNER..OFF THE BACK FOOT.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 2:05 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

High and behind.

2 “almost fumbles”

5 year history of shitty play.

You might want to calm down on your caps lock excitedness.

Sanches is not 3 of 4 with an int on a ball that was….well….catchable…but not great on a wide open guy.

Re

Fucking

Lax

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:10 pm

YOU MISSED SOMETHING….

Like leading his team to 2 AFC Championship games?

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 2:03 pm

That turnover is on Huff…who finds away to give ball to opposition.

paulman
paulman
November 2, 2014 2:05 pm

Pail man Trade Rumor
After the 2014 Season,
Eagles Send RB McCoy, OL Dennis Kelly
And their #1 Pick to the Oakland Raiders
For the Raiders #1 Pick and Draft QB Marcus Mariotta

Then Eagles Trade Foles after the 2015 Season
For a 3rd Round Pick

CT
CT
November 2, 2014 2:09 pm

Once again Philly is coming up with impressive ways to keep the opposition in the game with turnovers. LOL. This is not what “great” teams do consistently on a weekly basis. Still couldnt clean it up with the bye week.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 2:10 pm

I wish Eagles corners could intercept the ball.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 2, 2014 2:13 pm

my cable (nfl pack) just went out….anoying

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:14 pm

All of a sudden the read options works?

i wonder why?

Oh..Slow ass Foles takes forever to develope a play.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:20 pm

Short yardage solved too?

I wonder why?

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
November 2, 2014 2:32 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

jason kelce

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:21 pm

Smart…command of the offense.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 2, 2014 2:25 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Should have a td on that last drive.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
November 2, 2014 2:28 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

it’s better than an int thrown to the opposing team in the end zone.

We got points.