Eagles vs. Texans: Complete Week 9 Preview for Philadelphia

Any matchup with the Houston Texans begins and end with all-world defensive talent, J.J. Watt. Watt, the 2012 NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, seems to be running away with a second award in three seasons. He’s already scored via interception return, fumble return and receiving touchdown this year, and he’s been good enough to keep the Texans just a game back of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.

But the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t scared of him, and they’re not afraid to admit that.

"

Jason Kelce, asked about JJ Watt's impact, said: "I don't care if Jesus Christ is on the field. We're gonna run our offense." #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) October 29, 2014 "

It should be a fun matchup to watch. The Eagles have never faced Watt, and obviously they’ve never faced Jadeveon Clowney, either, and that’s a ridiculously tough matchup for an offensive line that is already decimated with injuries.

Winning this one would help to put Philadelphia back on track in an NFC East that just got a lot closer with Dallas’s loss to Washington on Monday Night Football. Here is everything you need to know regarding this coming Sunday’s game.

Eagles' Week 8 Recap

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals was one of the more painful losses the Philadelphia Eagles have suffered in recent years.

There’s a 2008 game the Eagles lost to the Washington Redskins by a 10-3 score. On the final play, Donovan McNabb hit Reggie Brown at the 1-yard line. Brown was hit so hard in the air by two Washington defenders that he was flipped over and landed back at the 5.

And in 2010 (also against the Redskins), Avant dropped what would have been a game-winning, come-from-behind Hail Mary pass from Kevin Kolb on the last play of the game, and the Eagles lost, 17-12.

This loss ranks right up there with those. In a back-and-forth game, the Eagles blew a late 20-17 lead when a defensive miscommunication allowed rookie third-round receiver John Brown to score on a 75-yard touchdown pass.

Nick Foles got the ball back and moved the Eagles downfield to the Arizona 16 with one second left to play. He took the snap, backpedaled to the 31, and heaved up a prayer for Jordan Matthews. Matthews made a spectacular catch, but landed out of bounds, and the Cardinals held on for a 24-20 win.

News and Notes

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Can Todd Herremans Really Play Through This Injury?

It came as a bit of a surprise this week when the injury news regarding Philadelphia Eagles’ veteran guard Todd Herremans broke.

"

RT @Jeff_McLane Todd Herremans tore the biceps in his left arm, per NFL sources. (He) is apparently going to try & play at least for 1 wk

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) October 28, 2014

"

Herremans is going to try to play through this injury, which doesn’t seem like it will be an easy task. Considering the Eagles are already without All-Pro guard Evan Mathis, this line needs all the help it can get. Then again, an injured Herremans with one good arm may not be able to help much, especially if he’s facing J.J. Watt.

Many Eagles Players Will Be Facing Former Team

You know how Chip Kelly is a big fan of bringing his Oregon Ducks players on board? Apparently he feels the same way about ex-Houston Texan players.

"

Chip jokes "We just love Texans and Oregon guys" #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) October 30, 2014"

A number of current Philadelphia Eagles once played for the Texans. DeMeco Ryans was acquired via trade. So was Jeff Maehl. Connor Barwin was signed in free agency. So were Donnie Jones, James Casey, Andrew Gardner and Bryan Braman.

It’s almost going to be like an Eagles-Texans reunion this week; on the Texans side, they have former Eagles slot receiver, Damaris Johnson.

Trent Cole Fined for Hit on Carson Palmer Last Week

Trent Cole was fined for a hit he placed on Carson Palmer last week, per CSNPhilly’s Derrick Gunn.

"

According to a league source it appears Trent cole will be fined 22k for a hit on Carson Palmer last Sunday .. Cole plans to appeal

— Derrick Gunn (@TheRealDGunnCSN) October 30, 2014

"

Cole will appeal his fine, but he won’t be issued a suspension. He did get flagged for a 15-yard penalty on the play.

Injury Report

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles are getting much healthier, and the likely return of center Jason Kelce will be a huge boost for the offense.

"

Also hearing that it is pretty much a certainty that Jason Kelce will start at center for the #Eagles on Sunday.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 28, 2014"

Here is the complete Week 9 injury report, per Pro Football Reference.

Player	Position	Injury
Nate Allen	S	Hamstring (Questionable)
Brad Smith	WR	Groin (Questionable)
Brent Celek	TE	Back (Questionable)
Todd Herremans	G	Biceps (Questionable)
DeMeco Ryans	ILB	Groin (Probable)
Mychal Kendricks	ILB	Calf (Probable)
Jaylen Watkins	CB	Wrist (Probable)
Jeff Maehl	WR	Foot (Probable)
Brandon Boykin	CB	Hamstring (Probable)
Darren Sproles	RB	Knee (Probable)
Jason Kelce	C	Hernia (Probable)

Having Kelce back, as well as all-purpose back Darren Sproles, will be huge for this offense.

Key Matchups to Watch

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

I already highlighted the three biggest matchups to watch in this week’s Philadelphia Eagles-Houston Texans game, but there is a little more to this game than J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.

ILB DeMeco Ryans/Mychal Kendricks vs. RB Arian Foster

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is showing no ill effects of that offseason back surgery; in fact, he’s been a standout performer this season.

Foster is second in the NFL with 766 rushing yards. He’s tied for first in rushing touchdowns (seven). He’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry, which is the best mark of his career.

"

Most 100-Yard rushing games this season: -DeMarco Murray 8 -Arian Foster 6 -11 tied with 2

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 30, 2014"

Aside from the Buffalo game, Foster has carried the ball at least 20 times and rushed for over 100 yards in every contest this season. He also catches passes out of the backfield, and he gets a Philadelphia Eagles defense that rates 21st in rushing yards allowed this season.

Eagles inside linebackers Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans will be the key players in trying to slow down Foster; Kendricks is back after his hamstring injury, while Ryans leads the team in tackles.

WR Jeremy Maclin vs. CB Johnathan Joseph

Jeremy Maclin has done a tremendous job of replacing three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and he’s coming off the best game of his career. Maclin caught 12 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, torching Patrick Peterson for the first half of the game. (Peterson eventually left due to injury.)

This week, Maclin will likely face off against Houston corner Johnathan Joseph. Per PFF Gold (subscription required), Maclin lined up as the right wide receiver 73 percent of the time in Week 8, while Joseph played left corner 69 percent of the time.

Joseph is a Pro Bowl talent, but he’s having a rough season, and that bodes extremely well for Maclin. Per PFF, Joseph has been targeted 68 times and given up 45 receptions—both of those numbers are higher than any other cornerback has yielded—for 602 yards, two touchdowns and a 103.9 passer rating against. Joseph hasn’t intercepted a pass.

Foles hasn’t been shy all year about throwing Maclin’s way. Expect another strong performance from Maclin.

ROLB Trent Cole vs. LT Duane Brown

Trent Cole has quietly made a tremendous transition from career defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker; this year, he rates by Pro Football Focus as the seventh-best pass-rushing linebacker in the league.

He leads his position group with 10 quarterback hits, and he gets a former Pro Bowl tackle who isn’t having one of his better seasons. Houston Texans left tackle Duane Brown struggled badly with Buffalo defensive end Jerry Hughes in Week 4. He gave up three pressures to the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul in Week 3. And he rates just near the middle of the pack for offensive tackles, a year after rating as one of the better left tackles in the league.

There’s a good chance the Houston Texans will get lots of pressure on Nick Foles; after all, they have J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. For the Philadelphia Eagles to keep up, they need Cole to have a strong game himself.

Prediction

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles desperately need a win to regain an edge in the NFC East race, especially if Tony Romo misses some time due to his back injury. The loss to the Arizona Cardinals will really hurt the Eagles’ playoff chances, as Philadelphia would lose a tiebreaker with Arizona.

That means winning the division is all the more important.

This game presents a difficult matchup though. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney are a dynamic pass-rushing duo. Arian Foster is playing as well as any running back in the league. And the Houston Texans are second in the NFL in forcing turnovers, which doesn’t bode well for Eagles fans who have seen Nick Foles throw more than his fair share of picks this season.

Update: But then the news broke that both Clowney and inside linebacker Brian Cushing may miss this game.

#Texans officially designate LB Jadeveon Clowney as questionable for Sunday with an illness. Brian Cushing also questionable w/knee injury

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) October 31, 2014

Change of prediction: Eagles win this one, 24-20.