The Inquirer’s Eagles-Texans Predictions

Predictions for Sunday's Eagles-Texans game from The Inquirer's Eagles beat reporters:

We've talked a lot about J.J. Watt this week, but how concerned should the Eagles be about Jadeveon Clowney?

Jeff McLane: After missing six games with a knee sprain, Clowney returned to action last week. He played about 32 snaps. He wasn't much of a factor and you call tell watching film of the game that he still has lots to learn, but it seems only a matter of time before he catches up and becomes a force. For his size, Clowney's athleticism is off the charts. The good news for the Eagles, who still aren't completely healthy on the interior offensive line, is that Clowney will likely rush exclusively from the right side against Jason Peters. I'll give the game's best left tackle the edge. Chip Kelly touted Texans starting outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Brooks Reed. Those guys can get after quarterbacks, but they have only three sacks between them. Considering the amount of attention Watt draws, they haven't been very disruptive for edge rushers than sparingly drop into coverage.

If Peters, Lane Johnson and tight end Brent Celek can slow the outside rush, Nick Foles' task will be that much easier. Getting back to Watt, Kelly has plenty of ways to neutralize him by moving his quarterback out of the pocket or having him make quick tosses. I think we'll see an offensive game plan similar to the one used against the Rams. But there has to be obvious concern about inside pressure with Matt Tobin at left guard and right guard Todd Herremans expected to play with a torn biceps. And then there's Foles' penchant for unnecessarily backpedaling. It could get ugly up front.

Zach Berman: The Eagles should be concerned about Clowney. Every team they play should – he's that spectacular of an athlete. The healthier he is, the better he will be. I know what you mean about Peters, but Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel can be creative. I'm curious to see how he finds ways to get Clowney, Mercilus and Reed on the field all at the same time. The whole front seven can present challenges, although pay attention to the status of Brian Cushing. He missed the Titans game and plans to play against the Eagles, and they really don't have much depth at inside linebacker.

The key is still Watt, because he's that good. But I agree with what Kelly said this week: "If your sole attention is just on stopping 99, you can do a great job of stopping 99, but Mercilus, Clowney, Reed, all those other guys are very good football players, too, and it's a very sound defensive scheme." And ultimately, the Eagles must trust that their offensive lineman can block in one-on-one situations. This will be an important game for the play-action and the screens. It's a good thing that the Eagles will have Darren Sproles back. I think LeSean McCoy and Sproles are counted on in the passing game this week.

Can the Eagles keep Arian Foster in check?

 McLane: Foster has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in six of seven games and has seemingly only gotten better with each week. He sat out Week 3 with a hamstring injury and the Texans lost to the Giants. He played the following week, but wasn't 100 percent and was held to six yards on eight carries. But he's been on fire ever since, rushing for 519 yards on 83 carries (6.3 avg.) and six touchdowns. Foster is also a threat catching balls out of the backfield, but the Eagles will need to control him on the ground if they want to make Bill O'Brien's offense one-dimensional.

The Eagles' run defense is its strength, although it hasn't been as sound as it was a year ago, and it has only faced one tailback on Foster's level (Frank Gore) and he got them pretty good (24 carries for 119 yards). But the 49ers have one of the best run blocking lines in the NFL. The Texans -- not so much. Foster makes them look better than they actually are, and I think the Eagles have the power edge up front with Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton and Bennie Logan. I also think that DeMeco Ryans will be on point upon his return to Texas and it sounds like Mychal Kendricks is inching closer to a full return.

If Foster struggles, the Eagles pass rush can take advantage on third and long and pressure an o-line that has been partly responsible for 17 sacks. Ryan Fitzpartrick has always been one of NFL's fastest quarterbacks with the trigger, but he hasn't had a reliable tight end to dump off to. All that being said, I keep hearing that the Texans can't win because of Fitzpatrick. I'm not president of his fan club, but I think it should be pointed out that he has a higher passer rating (87.6) than Foles (80.7).

Berman: I think Foster has a decent day on the ground, but I don't think he decides the game. Foster is averaging more yards in the three losses he's played this season than the four wins. (However, that number is skewed by an eight-yard performance against the Bills. Still, without the Bills game, it's almost equal.) The Texans will need to score in the high 20s to beat the Eagles, and I don't think they will. They've scored more than 23 points just three times this season.

Usually, the Eagles do a nice job against a running back when their plan is to stop the run. The Texans' line is better in run protection than in pass protection, although it also helps to have a running back that good. I expect the Eagles to stay in their base defense often this week, which means more Thornton. That will help against the run.

It could come down to Fitzpatrick. Five of Fitzpatrick's seven interceptions have come in losses. Can the Eagles force turnovers? That will be a big question. They only have three this season. Fitzpatrick has also been sacked 17 times. If the Eagles get an early lead, they could be in Fitzpatrick's face.

The Eagles need to pay attention to DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game. Andre Johnson is obviously the one who gets the most attention, but Hopkins can beat them downfield. He averages 15.8 yards per catch, with a long of 76 yards.

Who are your Eagles studs and duds?

 McLane: I've been focusing on the offensive side of the ball for most of the season, but I think it's time to go back to the defense, considering Bill Davis' unit has been more consistent. I'm not saying the defense has been great, but I think the Eagles have favorable matchups up front, particularly when Fitzpatrick will drop to throw.

So I'm going with Connor Barwin. He will face off against right tackle Derek Newton, who has given up 22 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. That's a lot, by the way. If it's not Barwin getting pressure off that edge, I could see Brandon Graham could have a sack or two.

As for my dud, I'm sure you're going in this direction, as well. With there being the chance that Nate Allen can't go with a hamstring injury, I think Earl Wolff -- his likely replacement -- will have his struggles in the secondary.

Berman: I like the way you think with Barwin. It will also make for a good story in his return to Houston. I'm looking at the offensive side of the ball. I'm going with Jeremy Maclin. The game that sticks out to me with the Texans was the Colts game and what T.Y. Hilton did. I know that was an anomaly, but when I watch Hilton lining up on the right side and running free throughout the first half, I think of Maclin doing the same thing. Maclin runs nice routes and always finds ways to get open. I see another big game for him.

I also see Sproles and McCoy getting involved in the screen game. Running backs have had big receiving games against Houston – Le'Veon Bell and Fred Jackson are examples.

My dud will be Todd Herremans. I have much respect for him trying to play with a torn biceps, but I'm curious how it will affect him. Going up against a difficult front seven, this matchup would be tough under any circumstance. Playing with an injury would seem to be more difficult, but I could be wrong. I don't think the Eagles would have him out there if it was detrimental to the team, although I can't imagine he plays at the level he typically plays. That's what they need against Houston.

What's your prediction?

 McLane: We've both gone 6-1 thus far this season, but I don't feel completely confident with picking the Eagles (as I plan to do). Jason Kelce's return at center will help, but I'd be concerned about Foles with his current issues and the state of the guard position. But I think Kelly will rebound after one of his more dubious play-calling performances and scheme an offense that utilizes McCoy and Sproles on the ground and gets his receivers into space against the Texans' zone defenses.

I got the Eagles 34, Texans 27.

Berman: This will be a good game. It's hard not to be impressed by the Texans. There's some talent on that team. Like I said earlier, though, I don't think they have enough firepower. Maybe Watt and Clowney take over the game and make it a nightmare for the Eagles' offense, and Foster controls the clock on offense. I don't see it happening that way. I think the Eagles move the ball through the air, with Foles having a nice bounce-back performance.

It won't be an easy win, but it will be a win: Eagles 31, Texans 21.