PHILADELPHIA — As Nick Foles continues to scuffle through the 2014 season, the bubbling debate regarding the Philadelphia Eagles remains whether Foles can break out of his slump, or if he potentially is not the long-term answer at the position.

Foles threw for 400-plus yards for the third time in his career in last Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but threw two more interceptions and once again completed fewer than 60 percent of his pass attempts.

Foles, who was at the top of nearly every significant NFL passing category last season when he notched the third highest passer rating in league history (119.2), is near the bottom of nearly every one of those passing categories after seven games.

Last year, the Eagles made the playoffs because of Foles. This year, they are 5-2 and a half game out of first place in the NFC East in spite of him. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Blake Bortles (12) and the New York Jets’ Geno Smith (10) have more interceptions than Foles (9). Bortles is an inconsistent rookie, while Smith has been benched.

Foles’ two biggest problems this season have been his footwork and his decision-making. He has been sacked a league-low seven times and has faced slightly less pressure than he did a year ago. Yet he too often has been throwing off-balance or off his back foot.

“What I’m finding is that when he sets his feet and steps into his throws, he’s awesome,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “What we’re also finding is there are times when he gets flushed or he flushes himself (out of the pocket) and he doesn’t have his feet underneath him and he’s not as good as he could be if they were.

“But that can be said for all quarterbacks. I remember a game (this season) when Tom Brady was playing against the Chiefs and he didn’t look so great. And everybody was wondering when he was going to retire. Now they’re 4-0 since that time.”

The Eagles need Foles to play more like he did last season if they are going to make a serious Super Bowl push. Opposing defenses are putting eight players in the box to stop running back LeSean McCoy and daring the Eagles to beat them through the air.

The Eagles have just 16 offensive touchdowns in seven games.

“I’ve got to put us in position where we can have more points on the board and win the games,” Foles said. “I’m the decision-maker on offense. I have the ball every single play. It’s my job to make sure it goes to the right spots. That’s how I look at it. and yes, I have to do a better job of that.”

SERIES HISTORY: 4th meeting. The Eagles lead the series, 3-0. The last time the two teams met was on Dec. 2, 2010 in Philadelphia. The Eagles won that game, 34-24. Quarterback Michael Vick completed 22 of 33 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 48 yards and another touchdown.

–S Nate Allen didn’t practice Wednesday. He is nursing a hamstring injury that he suffered late in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. It’s too soon to determine whether he’ll be able to play this week.

–WR Brad Smith was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. He has missed the last two games after undergoing a minor abdominal procedure. He isn’t expected to play this week.

–RG Todd Herremans practiced with a brace on his arm Wednesday after tearing his bicep in Sunday’s game in Arizona. Herremans is going to attempt to play Sunday, but it remains to be seen how effective he will be.

–C Jason Kelce, who has missed the last four games recovering from sports hernia surgery, practiced fully Wednesday and plans to return to the lineup Sunday against Houston. David Molk has filled in for him in his absence.

–RB/PR Darren Sproles is expected to play Sunday against Houston after missing last week’s game with an MCL sprain. Sproles leads the league in punt returns. The Texans are 31st in punt coverage.

GAMEPLAN: If the Eagles are going to beat the Texans, they need to neutralize red-hot running back Arian Foster and put quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in obvious passing situations. Fitzpatrick is 29th in the league in third-down passing.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–Eagles RG Todd Herremans vs. Texans DE J.J. Watt. Watt lines up in several different spots, but with Herremans nursing a torn bicep, he’ll probably see more of Watt than the rest of his linemates.

–Eagles TE Zach Ertz vs. Texans FS Kendrick Lewis. Ertz is a matchup problem for safeties and linebackers. He is Nick Foles’ go-to guy on third down. He is fourth in the league with 14 third-down receptions.

–Eagles DE Fletcher Cox vs. Texans LG Ben Jones. Jones has struggled in pass protection. Cox is developing into one of the league’s better two-gap ends and is an outstanding pass-rusher.