NFL Week 13 Picks: Philadelphia Eagles Beat The Houston Texans Tonight

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Houston Texans head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on December 2, game time is at 8:20 PM ET.The teams have met two times this decade. First, back in 2002 when the Eagles took the game by a score off 35-17, and then again in 2006, as Philadelphia walked away victors once again, 24-10.The NFL odds have Philadelphia as -8 over Houston with a game total of 51 points.The Eagles took a tough loss against the Bears in Week 12, 31-26. Jay Cutler led the Chicago offense 4 Brett Favre White jersey
with four touchdowns to tie a career best, exposing the Eagles secondary as he completed 14-of-21 for 247 yards.It was the fourth straight victory for Chicago and the 31 points were a season high. Meanwhile, Eagles QB Michael Vick did his best for Philadelphia, completing 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in with nine carries and another 44 yards rushing.The defense found its footing and the offense mounted a 13-point rally in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a host of injuries that plagued the Eagles with CBs Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs both sidelined for the game.With the loss, the Eagles are 5-1 in games which Vick has started and completed, and are sustaining their hold on first place in the NFC East with a 7-4 record.The offense has been strong, led by a rushing attack, which ranks third overall with close to 147 yards per game.LeSean McCoy heads that attack with 156 attempts and 779 yards for six touchdowns. Vick can move, contributing 419 yards on the ground for five touchdowns, and from the air Vick has completed 149 passes for 1,941 yards and 13 more scores.The defense always keeps the team in the game ranking 13th in opponents passing with 214 yards per game and 12th in opponent rushing with under 103 a game.The Texans smacked the Titans last week for a 20-0 win, and they still play them one more time this season in Week 15.Midway through the fourth quarter, tensions led to a brawl Jets 6 Sanchez AFL50th jersey
between Houston’s Andre Johnson and Tennessee’s Cortland Finnegan.Apparently, Finnegan was more concerned with egging the star receiver on than focusing on trying to win the game. Some sentiments carried over from last year when the two went at it, with the Texas coming away with the victory in that game as well.QB Matt Schaub completed 25-of-35 en route to 178 yards and two touchdown passes. Arian Foster ran past the Titan line to the tune of 143 yards on 30 carries.The Texans improved their record to 5-6 with the win, third in the AFC South. Schaub has completed 236 passes for 2,752 yards and 15 touchdowns. The team ranks 15th overall in passing with 235 a game.Rushing has been the team’s strength, ranking seventh with 132.5 a game. Foster is having a strong season, racking up 1,147 yards and 12 touchdowns. Andre Johnson has 65 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns.It’s been a shame that that entire offensive prowess has been wasted by a porous Texans secondary that has allowed opponents to pass for nearly 300 yards a contest (31st). A big part of the four-game losing streak that saw the team get outscored 120-91 in weeks 8-11.Matt’s Free Prediction: Philadelphia 31, Houston 24The Eagles definitely have the upper hand in this one, by both track record and current play. The Philadelphia defense will do a good job of neutralizing Houston’s running game and Vick 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
should have an easy time throwing over the heads of the Texans secondary, leading the Eagles to an eighth win.For more advice on how all the Week 13 games, check out our expert NFL picks from the top NFL handicappers in the business