What to Expect from Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles Offense in Week 9

Despite their 5-2 record and the fourth-highest scoring offense in the National Football League, it hasn't exactly been a smooth ride for the Philadelphia Eagles this season. In particular, quarterback Nick Foles has failed to play anywhere close to the level he showed in 2013, when his 13.5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio broke the single-season record. 

Foles has been adequate, subpar, mediocre and extremely inconsistent. He's turned the ball over 12 times, including three multiple-interception games. He's led the Eagles to three game-winning drives in the fourth quarter and come within a yard on two others, but he's failed to be the consistent leader the Eagles have needed.

The Eagles catch a major break this week with veteran running back Darren Sproles returning after missing just one game (knee) and Jason Kelce returning after missing four games (sports hernia surgery). 

The running game has been picking it up in recent weeks, with LeSean McCoy gashing the Giants for 149 yards on Sunday night and adding 83 yards against the Cardinals the following week. Sproles is averaging 6.6 yards per carry in a part-time role.

The Eagles are facing a Houston Texans squad that is 4-4 during head coach Bill O'Brien's rookie season. The Eagles will be favored, despite playing on the road. The Texans have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, notably linebacker Whitney Mercilus and cornerback Johnathan Joseph.

But the outcome of the game will likely come down to whether the Eagles can stop defensive end J.J. Watt, the most dominant defensive player in the game, and the No. 1 overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney. 

Lane Johnson vs. J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, and it's really not even close.

He's completely unblockable, a force to be reckoned with, a player who can literally change the course of an entire game in a single play. The Defensive Player of the Year winner in 2012, Watt should have won in 2013, too, and will probably win the award unanimously this season. 

In seven games this season, Watt has collected seven sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 24 quarterback hurries, seven batted passes and 26 tackles, per Pro Football Focus (login required). He's scored three touchdowns, two on defense and one on offense.

The standard by which any defensive end should be measured, Watt is a modern-day Reggie White. He's also able to line up literally anywhere on the defensive line, from left end to nose tackle to defensive tackle to right end. 

But Watt plays mostly left end, meaning he will face right tackle Lane Johnson during the game. Johnson has played in three games since his suspension ended, and he's played fairly well. But his strength is as a run-blocker, not as a pass-blocker, meaning Watt has a major advantage in this matchup. 

Jason Peters vs. Jadeveon Clowney

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Jadeveon Clowney has played in just two games so far in the 2014 season. He tore his right meniscus in the season opener and missed the next six games.

Clowney has played in just 56 snaps this season (login required), the equivalent of one game. He's due for a breakout game, though, but don't expect it come against Jason Peters.

The Eagles' dominant left tackle is enjoying his usual All-Pro season. In seven games, Peters has allowed just one sack and eight quarterback hurries. He shut down Robert Quinn (19 sacks in 2013) and Jason Pierre-Paul in consecutive weeks. He's been the force that has held together the Eagles' offensive line while they've suffered major injuries to Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce, plus a suspension to Lane Johnson.

If he can stop players like Quinn and Pierre-Paul, he should be able to handle a player like Clowney, who is far from reaching his full potential as a rookie.