Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) at Houston Texans (4-4)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at NRG Stadium, Houston – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: Eagles QB Nick Foles has not found the counter punch for defenses loading up to stop RBs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles and inviting him to attack one-on-one coverage. Foles trusts athletic TE Zach Ertz and can stretch the Texans horizontally with two-back sets.

Foles won’t have much time to scan the field. Texans DE J.J. Watt is almost always a mismatch, but especially so Sunday with OG Todd Herremans playing with a biceps injury.

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

Fitzpatrick is protecting the ball with the offense revolving around Foster, who is averaging 129.8 rushing yards per game and has scored six touchdowns. He also has 16 runs of at least 10 yards and 22 carries that have resulted in first downs.

*Matchup to watch – 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. The Eagles send their extra pressure from the edges, which means no help is coming for Jones.

*Player spotlight – Eagles RB Darren Sproles: Back from a knee sprain, Sproles is dangerous as a receiver and punt returner, with seven of his 18 punt returns going for 16 yards or more. Houston is 31st in punt coverage.

*Fast facts: Foster has four consecutive 100-yard games and is on pace for 18 touchdowns this season. … Philadelphia has scored just three touchdowns in its past 10 red-zone possessions.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Philadelphia needs a fast start, and in allowing only three first-quarter points in the past four games the Eagles can throw the first punch, but will their defense hold up against Foster?

*Our pick: Eagles 24-23