HOUSTON — The Houston Texans put up one of many harder fights the Philadelphia Eagles have seen this season, however Philly managed to prevail, 29-17, and protect its undefeated begin to the season. The Eagles are 8-0 for the primary time in franchise historical past, whereas the Texans moved to 1-6-1 on the season throughout “Thursday Evening Soccer” at NRG Stadium.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ return dwelling proved to be an historic evening, as he helped information the Eagles’ to their first 8-0 begin. It wasn’t at all times fairly, however he rose to the second, tossing a pair of landing passes — together with a go-ahead 17-yard strike to extensive receiver A.J. Brown within the third quarter — to maintain the undefeated prepare rolling.
An MVP candidate close to the midway level of the season, Hurts has thrown at the very least two landing passes in three straight video games for the primary time in his profession. He’s as much as 18 touchdowns (12 passing, six dashing) with two interceptions by way of eight video games.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Quickly uncomfortable. With the one-win Texans lacking each of their beginning receivers, this appeared like a complete mismatch. However Thursday street video games are tough, and the Eagles have been uncharacteristically sloppy at occasions, as illustrated by their first misplaced fumble of the season on a play the place Hurts did not appear prepared for the ball when it was snapped. The sport was tied on the half — the primary time Philly did not lead after two quarters — however the Eagles steadily gained command because the second half wore on.
Troubling development: The Eagles’ first recreation with out rookie defensive deal with Jordan Davis, who was simply positioned on injured reserve with a excessive ankle sprain, proved problematic for the frenzy protection. Houston working again Dameon Pierce went off for 139 yards on 27 carries. Philly’s tackling was typically poor and the working lanes too extensive. Davis has been a difference-maker. Coming into the sport, the Eagles allowed 3.9 yards per rush with him on the sector (70 rushes) versus 6 yards per rush with him off the sector (112 rushes).
Pivotal play: C.J. Gardner-Johnson got here up together with his league-leading fifth interception of the season halfway by way of the third quarter, organising Hurts’ landing go to Brown. The Eagles’ first possession of the second half rapidly stalled when working again Miles Sanders was stuffed on third-and-short, swinging momentum to Houston’s favor. However Gardner-Johnson swung it proper again with a diving decide over the center on third down. — Tim McManus
Underrated statistic to know: Gardner-Johnson now has an interception in 4 straight video games, tied for the longest streak by an Eagles participant because the merger (Invoice Bradley in 1972).
Subsequent recreation: vs. Washington Commanders (8:15 p.m. ET, Nov. 14)
Houston Texans
The Texans have been 14-points underdogs in opposition to the Eagles but managed to place up a decent battle. They entered halftime tied 14-14, however Houston’s protection struggled in opposition to the go and run as Hurts threw two touchdowns, and the Eagles’ offense rushed for 2 touchdowns.
The Texans’ offense was led by the rookie Pierce, who completed with 139 rush yards. That took stress off of quarterback Davis Mills, who was with out his two main receivers in Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins. Pierce’s robust efficiency allowed Mills to be environment friendly as he threw two touchdowns. However he did have a few second-half interceptions that crushed the Texans’ probabilities of successful.
Promising development: Pierce struggled in opposition to the Tennessee Titans final week as he completed with 35 yards on 15 carries, his second-lowest output when it comes to yardage for the season. However Pierce bounced again in an enormous method by ending with 139 yards, a season-high. With out Pierce the sport would have been over by halftime.
Purchase on a breakout efficiency: Houston’s go rush is bettering. It produced 4 sacks in opposition to the Eagles, who’ve among the best offensive traces within the league. The Texans additionally had 10 pressures on 31 dropbacks, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats. If they’ll produce stress in opposition to this offensive line after they play the New York Giants in Week 10, they need to be capable to carry that momentum because the Giants have allowed quarterbacks to be sacked 25 occasions, which ranks inside the top-10. — DJ Bien-Aime
Underrated statistic to know: Mills was working 16.04 mph when he threw a 13-yard second-quarter landing go to Chris Moore — simply the third TD this season thrown whereas working that quick.
Subsequent recreation: at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 13)
