HOUSTON — Quarterback Mark Sanchez performed ably in his first significant action since the 2012 season, stewarding the Philadelphia Eagles to a 31-21 win over the Houston Texans Sunday at NRG Stadium.

Sanchez entered after Eagles starter Nick Foles was lost to a left shoulder on the final play of the first quarter and engineered four scoring drives, including the clincher late in the fourth quarter. Sanchez, who last played for the New York Jets in 2012, passed for 202 yards and two scores as the Eagles (6-2) amassed 484 yards and 30 first downs.

The Eagles struck an impressive balance offensively. Running back LeSean McCoy rushing for 117 yards on 23 attempts while receiver Jeremy Maclin posted six receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Maclin snared his second score with 3:50 left to play, an eight-yard catch that capped a 15-play, 80-yard drive that erased 8:01 off the clock.

Before surrendering that final Philadelphia touchdown, the Texans (4-5) worked their way back into contention when an earlier missed field goal by Randy Bullock appeared to deflate the partisan crowd. Houston caught a break when Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans immediately fumbled an interception of Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick inside the Philadelphia 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins recovered and, two plays later, corralled a seven-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick to cut the deficit to 24-21.

The Eagles later lost Ryans to a season-ending left Achilles’ tendon tear. He ruptured his right Achilles in 2010 at the same venue when he played for the Texans.

The Texans scuffled throughout offensively, needing a 51-yard A.J. Bouye interception return to score in the first quarter and a second interception, this one by cornerback Jumal Rolle, to key a four-play drive that ended with a 56-yard touchdown catch by running back Arian Foster. Foster beat former Texans linebacker Connor Barwin on a wheel route before dashing down the sideline to pull the Texans even at 14-14.

Fitzpatrick passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception and was sacked four times. Hopkins had six receptions for 115 yards and a score.

NOTES: The Texans lost both starting cornerbacks to injury in the first quarter: Kareem Jackson (knee) and Johnathan Joseph (concussion). … Eagles QB Nick Foles suffered a left shoulder injury when on the final play of the first quarter following a sack by Texans LB Whitney Mercilus. Foles underwent an X-ray and did not return. … When Eagles QB Mark Sanchez completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Jordan Matthews in the second quarter, it marked his first scoring strike since Dec. 17, 2012. … Texans CB A.J. Bouye returned his first career interception 51 yards for a touchdown.