Eagles-Texans NFL Week 16 predictions

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The Eagles (7-7) pretty much need to win out to make it into the playoffs and this week’s game against the Texans (10-4) won’t be easy. 

To the predictions: 

Reuben Frank (7-7)
This one is going to be decided in the trenches. The Eagles’ offensive line will have to deal with a couple exceptional pass rushers in J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, and the Texans’ offensive line will have to deal with a couple pretty disruptive linemen of the Eagles, notably Fletcher Cox and Michael Bennett. To me, the edge goes to the Eagles. After a shaky start, their O-line has been much better. The Eagles allowed 26 sacks the first eight games but just 10 the last six.

The Texans’ O-line has allowed a staggering 52 sacks this year, including 19 in the last four games. The Texans have weapons and a gifted young QB, but if the Eagles can control the line of scrimmage, they’re not losing this game. And I think they will control both lines. 

Eagles 23, Texans 20

Dave Zangaro (5-9)
I think it’s far from a slam dunk and the Texans are a pretty good team, but I think the Eagles are going to win this weekend. I think their offensive and defensive lines will need to perform the way it did against the Rams last week. If it does, the Eagles should be able to do enough to win this game. 

The Texans have some phenomenal players who will be tough to stop. On defense, Watt and Clowney are scary and on offense, DeAndre Hopkins might be the best receiver in the league. Overall, though, I think the Eagles will be able to sneak out of the Linc with a win. 

Eagles 27, Texans 23

Derrick Gunn (7-7)
If the Eagles’ shocking victory over the Rams taught us anything, it’s to always expect the unexpected from this team. Now, it’s on to Houston. The Texans are currently the two-seed in the AFC. They have a dynamic young QB in Deshaun Watson. He’s completed just under 68 percent of his passes, and has tossed 24 touchdown strikes and just nine INTs. He also has a passer rating of 103.2.

Also, the fleet-footed Watson can kill a defense with his legs. Watson’s favorite target through the air is one of the most dangerous wideouts in the game in Hopkins, who has over 1,300 receiving yards and 11 TD catches. He has 21 grabs of 20 or more yards. Throw in the acrobatic plays he makes and he adds a whole new dimension that's difficult to cover.

Houston is sixth in the league in rushing, but its run game has been stagnant in recent weeks. Defensively, the Texans have talent from front to back, led by DE Watt (14½ sacks) and OLB Clowney (eight sacks). While Houston’s defense is vulnerable through the air (allowing 258.3 passing yards, which ranks 26th), it's an opportunistic bunch, ranked sixth in the league in takeaways with 24, including 13 INTs.

It’s the Nick Foles show again this week, and his troops are ready to rally around him. Trying to establish a run game against a Texans defense giving up just 88.3 yards per outing will be a big challenge. When Foles takes to the air, spreading the wealth with quick passes is the best way to keep Houston on its heels. The Birds have been down this must-win road before, and they know what it takes. The Texans haven’t been in an environment like the Linc. The ski masks will be out in full force as the Birds look to steal another win. The Texans will fall in the Birds’ nest. 

Eagles 27, Texans 21 

Ray Didinger (7-7)
The Texans have won 10 of their last 11 games but they sputtered the last two weeks. They lost at home to Indianapolis (24-21) and last Sunday they barely got past the Jets (29-22). They are currently the second seed in the AFC but they aren't playing like it. The O-line is breaking down and Watson is getting creamed (52 sacks, most in the league).

The Texans also have injury issues. Running back Lamar Miller and stud receiver Hopkins suffered ankle injuries against the Jets. They were limited in practice this week and while they are expected to play Sunday they don't figure to be 100 percent, which is good news for the Eagles’ defense. Hopkins (94 catches, 11 touchdowns) is as good as any receiver in the league.

It is nice the Eagles created a shrine to Foles but candles alone won't slow down Watt, Clowney and the rest of the Houston pass rush (39 sacks). That task falls to the guys up front, but if they can neutralize Watt, Clowney and company as well as they did the Rams on Sunday (no sacks), Foles can do some serious damage to a Houston pass defense that ranks 26th in the NFL.

Eagles 23, Texans 20

Andrew Kulp (7-7)
I'm not feeling the Foles magic this time around. He wasn't that great against the Rams, who were the definition of "not ready to play." With a first-round bye in the playoffs on the line, the Texans should be able to match the Eagles' intensity.

Foles' biggest play last week was a badly underthrown pass, his own receivers unsure who it was intended for, on a terribly busted coverage. Jared Goff also gifted the Eagles' offense with starting field position at the Rams' 12-yard line. This is how they came about 14 of their 30 points. They will not be so lucky against the Texans.

Texans 24, Eagles 20 

Corey Seidman (7-7) 
The performance the Eagles had against Rams was the one I thought they’d have weeks earlier against the Saints. Those two games demonstrate why it’s been so tough to peg this Eagles team. 

I do think the Eagles are better than the Texans, especially at home. Houston has arrived at 10-4 without really playing like a 10-4 team. 

Hopkins has the best hands in football, and he and Demaryius Thomas should be able to beat the secondary for several big plays, but as long as the Eagles can generate early pressure, they could build a nice lead and run away. Watson has been skittish in the pocket this season. It’s typically one read before Watson makes a throw or decides to run. 

Foreseeing the defense and Foles propelling the Eagles to a 10-0 or 14-3 lead and then controlling the game. 

Eagles 27, Texans 16

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