The Houston Texans snapped a three-game losing streak with a win at Tennessee on Sunday. They won’t be given any breaks in their return home as they take on Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Another interesting clash is on the schedule for Monday Night Football. Check out our preview for the Colts vs. Giants game here. You can also check out the full slate of football games heading our way with our complete picks and predictions for Week 9 of the 2014 NFL season.
[sc:Football ]Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans Preview
Where: NRG Stadium, Texas
When: Sunday, November 2, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) at Houston Texans (+2.5); total 48.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles missed an opportunity to rise to the top of NFC East when they fell 24-20 in Arizona on Sunday. They now continue on the road when they take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The total has gone over in five of Philadelphia’s seven games following a loss since 2013.
Quarterback Nick Foles completed 36 of 42 passes for 411 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions last week, a perfect summary of his season to this point: racking up yards and turnovers in equal measure. He was not sacked in the game as the Eagles offensive line protected him well.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin caught both of Foles’ scoring passes, finishing with 12 receptions for 187 yards. Look for another big game from Maclin, especially against a shaky Houston secondary which allowed 290 passing yards against Tennesee’s rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
On the ground, running back LeSean McCoy has now rushed for 80 or more yards in three consecutive games. However, he is yet to score a touchdown since the Eagles’ Week 2 victory over the Colts. McCoy may fail to reach the end zone again, especially against Houston’s defense which has allowed one rushing touchdown in the past four weeks.
On the other side of the ball, safety Nate Allen failed to defend the game-winning 75-yard touchdown pass from Arizona’s Carson Palmer to rookie receiver John Brown. The Eagles’ defense may be focused on containing Texans running back Arian Foster in this game, leaving the Eagles’ secondary relatively exposed to Houston’s receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson.
The Eagles are 3-1 ATS as favorites this season.
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Betting on the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans laid a 30-16 beating on the hapless Titans in Tennessee on Sunday. Now they head back home to NRG Stadium, where they’re 2-1 SU/ATS this season.
Running back Arian Foster ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8, his 31st career 100-yard rushing game, tying Priest Holmes for the most in NFL history by an undrafted player. Foster should be set to break that record with another 100-yard performance against a Philadelphia defensive line which allows 116.7 yards per game. Foster also caught a scoring pass against Tennessee, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s lone touchdown in the game.
While Foster threatens the Eagles on the ground, Fitzpatrick will lead a passing attack against the league’s 26th ranked pass defense (allowing 266.9 yards per game). The QB went 19-for-35 for 227 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. He was sacked five times for a combined loss of 34 yards. Still, if he can remain upright in this game, he’ll have a couple of excellent playmakers to look for.
Hopkins and Johnson should be able to make several key plays against Philadelphia’s pass defense. The two are averaging 13.8 yards per catch.
On the other side of the ball, the Texans should finally have a full game from their devastating pass rush duo of defensive end J.J. Watt and rookie linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. Watt ranks fourth in the league with seven sacks, five coming from his past three games. Meanwhile, Clowney made just his second appearance this season playing primarily in passing situations against Tennesee, in which he recorded a tackle.
The two should be a test for Philadelphia’s excellent offensive line. If they can collapse the pocket around the Eagles’ Nick Foles, then they may be able to cause some timely turnovers. Foles’ two interceptions against Arizona last week both came when he was under duress.
The Texans are 1-4 in their last five games against NFC East teams.
Writer’s Prediction
The Texans manage to put themselves on the scoreboard behind Arian Foster. Nick Foles responds by throwing bombs to the end zone. Philadelphia win by at least a field goal, while the total goes over 48.5.
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