The Texans (1-5-1) host the Eagles (7-0) on Thursday Night Football at NRG Stadium. It’s the first meeting between the two franchises since 2018. Here are five things to watch when they kick off at 7:15 p.m.
1) Buckle up vs. the run
Last Sunday against the Titans, Houston saw Tennessee attempt one pass in the second half. They controlled the game and rumbled for 314 yards on 45 carries en route to the 17-10 victory. The Texans run defense has allowed the most yards (1,302) and yards per carry (5.6) in the NFL. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has gained the ninth-most yards in the league with 1,047 this season.
Eagles RB Miles Sanders has picked up 4.9 yards per carry in 2022, and QB Jalen Hurts has carried the ball 79 times and rushed for a team-best six touchdowns this year. Hurts’ ability to run the ball has been a challenge for defenses, but as Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith explains, he’s by no means a one-dimensional quarterback.
“He brings so many more things to the table,” Smith said. “Keeping him in the pocket, I think for us, it’s better keeping him in the pocket. He’s been pretty accurate in and out of the pocket. Yes, if he gets in the perimeter, that’s a tougher duty. He’s been tough with what they’ve been doing. I think their offensive scheme is tailored to him also, similar things he was able to do in college. The RPO game with him running it has been pretty special.”
2) Speaking of running
Texans RB Dameon Pierce was limited to 35 yards on 15 carries last Sunday against Tennessee. Over the four games prior to that loss, Pierce averaged 20 carries for 100.5 yards per game. The Titans bottled Pierce up, and the rest of the Texans offense was stagnant. Turning that around is important, and the Eagles have placed a premium on stopping Pierce.
“Got a high opinion of him,” Philadelphia Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon said. “He jumps off the tape. Typically, I don’t put up a lot of backs in front of the room and say, ‘Hey, guys, this is a challenge ahead.’ He was…
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