Houston @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 2, 2014 ) Philadelphia 31, Houston 21

The Houston Texans could be sitting pretty at the conclusion of the weekend, provided they handle their business against the host Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and receive a bit of help along the way. Defeating the Eagles is not something the Texans have done in their existence, however, as the club has dropped all four encounters by double-digit margins.

Houston has proven to be a resilient club this season, and it recorded its eighth comeback win of the season Saturday after rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to post a 29-22 win over the New York Jets. Deshaun Watson, who has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 19 straight games, has 14 TDs, two interceptions and a 120.1 passer rating in past seven contests ahead of a tilt with Philadelphia's 31st-ranked pass defense. The 23-year-old Watson, sacked on six occasions by the Jets and an NFL-high 52 times, faces an Eagles' contingent that has 35 sacks on the season. Nick Foles stepped in for an injured Carson Wentz and completed 24 of 31 attempts for 270 yards as Philadelphia moved within a game of NFC East-leading Dallas by posting a 30-23 win versus the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Eagles -1. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE TEXANS (10-4): Houston has numerous avenues in which it could gain entry into the postseason, with an AFC South title coming via a win on Sunday or losses by both Indianapolis and Tennessee. The Texans can secure a first-round bye with a victory and a New England loss to Buffalo, while a postseason berth would be claimed either with a Baltimore defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers or a Pittsburgh setback in New Orleans. DeAndre Hopkins' health will go a long way toward the Texans' future plans, as the star wideout was limited in practice while nursing an ankle injury sustained in the fourth quarter against the Jets. Hopkins, however, had a season high-tying 10 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns in that game and has found the end zone in each of his last six road contests.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (7-7): Zach Ertz, who ranks third in the NFL with 101 catches, is 10 receptions shy of breaking Jason Witten's single-season record for tight ends. Wideout Alshon Jeffery reeled in team highs in catches (eight) and receiving yards (160) against the Rams after entering the contest with six straight 50-or-fewer yard performances. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who joined Ertz and defensive end Brandon Brooks in being selected to the Pro Bowl, has recorded a sack in three straight games overall and has six in his past eight at home. Defensive end Michael Bennett has eight sacks in his last 11 overall and had 1.5 in his last encounter with Houston.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia rookie RB Josh Adams has a rushing touchdown in three of his last five games.

2. Houston K Ka'imi Fairbairn was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making five field goals and two extra points against the Jets.

3. Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins has 22 of his team-leading 88 tackles in the last two contests.

PREDICTION: Texans 24, Eagles 21