Philadelphia Eagles 29 vs 17 Houston Texans summary: stats and highlights | NFL Week 8

The Philadelphia Eagles prevailed in a battle of David vs. Goliath when they took down the Houston Texans on Thursday night from NRG Stadium. Jalen Hurts threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in the 29-17 victory.

No Eagle trap in Texas

It was the typical trap game for an Eagles team that went into the Week 9 opener on a roll. A game on the road, in a short week, against a banged up Houston Texans team spelled trouble for the Eagles, but Nick Siriani’s team was ready for the challenge.

Houston certainly gave Philly a test, especially in the first half where they were neck and neck with the Eagles through the first 30 minutes of the game. Davis Mills led a brilliant opening drive down the field with some help from rookie running back Dameon Pierce who had a monster game going for 139 yards on 27 carries.

Mills found Teagan Quitoriano for the game’s first touchdown and the Texans showed they were not just going to roll over with the league’s best team in town.

Texans hang with Philly, for a bit

Philadelphia responded with a long, time consuming opening possession touchdown after an 18 play drive that ended with a 4th and Goal conversion from the three yard line. Miles Sanders punched in the short run to even the score at 7-7 just before the end of the first quarter.

Hurts and the Eagles would take the lead deep into the second quarter when Kenneth Gainwell carried it four yards into the end zone. It was Hurts who would carry the brunt of the load on the offensive end in the first half, but the running backs got the glory with a couple of short runs to put the Eagles up 14-7.

Giving up a late touchdown, and knowing that the Eagles would get the ball back at the start of the second half, Houston had to respond and they did. Pierce was the work horse on the game tying drive right before the half. He had a 36 yard punishing run to set up a 13 yard TD pass from Mills to Chris Moore to tie the game at 14-14 going into halftime.

Wheels fall off after Mills pick

Until that time, and even into the early part of the third quarter the Texans were playing perfectly. They started the second half by forcing the Eagles into two straight three and outs, but they couldn’t take advantage of the short possessions from Philly.

The perfect night came to an end when Mills was picked off by C.J. Garder-Johnson who returned the interception 25 yards and down to the Houston 17. Two plays later it was Hurts finding his favorite target, A.J. Brown for a 17 yard hook up of the middle for a touchdown.

Houston couldn’t keep up with the high powered, quick paced Eagles offense. They scored a field goal on the ensuing drive, but that would be the last points the Texans would score.

NFC East battle with Washington next week

Early in the fourth quarter Hurts and the Eagles mounted the deciding scoring drive. Hurts connected with Dallas Goedert five times on the drive, and polished it off with a three yard touchdown pitch and catch. The Texans jumped offside on the PAT, and the Eagles decided to go for two since the ball was at the 1 yard line. Hurts crossed the goal line on a QB sneak to make it a 29-17 game forcing the Texans to score two TDs in order to make a comeback.

The comeback never came. The Texans offense ran out of steam and Davis Mills ended his night by throwing an interception to James Bradberry late in the fourth quarter. Mills finished the game with 154 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions as the Texans drop to 1-6-1 on the year.

The Eagles will now get to enjoy a week and a half off with a picture perfect 8-0 record. The next time they put their undefeated record to the test will be against the streaking Washington Commanders on Monday Night.

Hurts and Dallas Goedert connected on 5 passes on the game deciding drive. Their last link up went for 4 yards to bury the Texans.

There are guys you shouldn't leave open, and then there are guys who you can't leave open. A.J. Brown is a guy you can't leave open.

Just before the half, Mills hit Chris Moore on the 13 yard TD connection to go into halftime shockingly tied with the Philly.

Pierce could not be stopped on Thursday night. He ended the night with 139 yards on 27 rushes, none more impressive than this punishing run.

Jalen Hurts did most of the heavy lifting for the Eagles in the first half but it was Kenneth Gainwell getting into the end zone on the 3 yard TD run.

The Eagles needed 18 plays and a 4th and Goal coversion to punch the ball into the enzone of their first drive. Miles Sanders strolled into the end zone on the 4th down play.

The Texans got off to a hot start with an opening drive TD from Davis Mills to Teagan Quitoriano.

PHILLY ARE 8-0 AFTER GETTING A WIN ON THE ROAD ON A SHORT WEEK!

Hurts picks up the first down on 4th and 1 on a QB sneak and that will do it!

Hurts taking it all on his own and taking some punishment at the end of the run, but he picked up 14 yards and that will bring up 4th and 1.

Hurts hit Goedert for a 15 yard gain but the play is coming back after an ineligible man down field.

3rd and 15 from the PHI 20.

Hurts finds Brown for a short 2 yard gain and the Texans call a timeout, their first of the second half.

3rd and 10 from the PHI 25.

Sanders is stopped on the run to the left side and that take us to the Two Minute Warning.

2nd and 12 coming up from the HOU 23.

INTERCEPTION!!!

Mills is picked by Bradberry! The HOU QB was looking for Dorsett but forced 3rd and 19 pass into traffic and the Texans are made to pay.

Philly get the ball with just over 2:00 to go.

Mills is sacked by Hargrave for the third time tonight and that will bring up 3rd and 19.

Akins on the slant pattern, but Reddick made a great play to bat the pass away.

2nd and 10 from the PHI 12.

Mills looking for Burkhead out of the backfield and flags sly on a pass interference call against Philly.

1st and 10 from the PHI 12.

Mills under pressure and tucked it for a 3 yard gain.

3rd and 4 from the PHI 15.

Pierce up the middle for a 3 yard gain.

2nd and 7 from the PHI 18.

Mills finds Camp for a 7 yards gain on 2nd and 3 and that will give HOU a 1st and 10 from the PHI 21.

Dorsett got open down the right side and Mills hit him for a 27 yard gain to get deep into PHI territory.

Mills' short  pass to Hairston went right right through the receivers hands and that will bringup 2nd and 10 from the 38.

Fair catch aat the HOU 38 yard line and the Texans need a score with under 6 minutes to go.

Screen pass to Gainwell for an 8 yard gain but the Eagles wil punt after going 3 and out.

Hurts is dropped in the backfield by Stewart for a 4 yard loss.

3rd and 16 from the 4.

PHI take over from their 10 yard line and Sanders is wrapped up for a 2 yard loss.

2nd and 12 from the 8.

Hurts and Goedert connected on 5 differnt passes on their last TD drive, and  capped off the drive with this 4 yard pass into the end zone.

Mills is dropped by Hargrave for the second time tonight, this time for 4 yards and the Texans will punt.

4th and 14 fro the HOU 49.

The 19 yard gain is wiped off the board after the refs deem Jordandid not get his second foot down.

3rd and 10 coming up around midfield.

Mills looking down the right sideline for Johnson and he reels in the catch, but did he get the second foot down?

The refs will take another look to see if the big play stands.

Mills doing it with his legs. He tucks and runs up the middle for a 7 yard gain and a first down.

1st and 10 from the PHI 47.

Pierce on a run to the right side and he picks up 4 yards.

2nd and 6 from the HOU 46.

Mills going deep down the field looking for Dorsett but he over threw his receiver. PHI got flagged for a late hit on the QB and the Texans get a free first down after the 15 yard penalty.

1st and 10 from the HOU 42.

Houston takes over from the 25 needing a score to stay in the game.

Pierce gets the first down run but picks up just 2 yards.

2nd and 8 from the 27.

Sanders up the right side gaining 12 yards and the Eagles have 1st and Goal from the HOU 8.

Hurts hitting Goedert for another first down on another 10 yard gain.

1st and 10 from the HOU 20.

Hurts rolling right and had to throw it out of bounds with no one open down field.

2nd and 10 from the HOU 30.

Hurts to Goedert again and again the Eagels move the chains with a 10 yard pick up.

1st and 10 from the HOU 30.

Hurts over the middle and Goedert makes the catch for 17 yard and the Eagles have it inside HOU territory.

1st and 10 from the HOU 40.

On the first play of the fourth quater, Sanders gets the toss to the rigth side and picks up 6 yards.

2nd and 4 from the PHI 43.

Hurts steps up the the pocket and breaks the scramble to the left side and moves the chains with a 5 yard run.

We are headed to the fourth quarter in Houston! The Texans are still in the game, but need a stop on this drive.

Here comes Philly up by four with a chance to make things tough for the Texans in the fourth quarter if they can get a TD on this drive.

Hurts on the roll out, hitting Goedert for a 7 yard gain.

2nd and 3 from the PHI 32.

FIELD GOAL TEXANS!!!

Fairbairn drills the 30 yard field goal and the Texans are within 4 points in the final minute of the third quarter.

Philly leads 21-17.

Mills rolling left abut didn't have anything open down field and the Texans will settle for a field goal on 4th and 9.

After marching down the field, Pierce is stopped at the line of scrimmage on first and second down  to bring up 3rd and 9.

Burkhead up the iddle for a nine yard gain and the Texans are running the ball with ease in this third quarter.

1st and 10 from the PHI 13.

Pierce with another run and he gets 9 yards on first down.

2nd and 1 from the PHI 22.

Pierce showing he's got some lightening with all that thunder , making moves around defenders for a 6 yard gain to move the chains.

1st and 10 from the PHI 22.

Pierce hits the hole on the right for a 4 yard gain on first down.

2nd and 6 from the PHI 37.

Pierce gets it again and he lowers his head for a 10 yard gain up the middle.

1st and 10 from the PHI 41.

Pierce for a 3 yard gain on 1st down.

2nd and 7 from the HOU 49.

Moore breaks a WR screen for 25 yards on 2nd and long and the Texans are looking to punch back after the turnover and the touchdown.

Gardner-Johnson picked off Mills which set up a two play TD drive to give Phllly the lead.

INTERCEPTION!

On 3rd down Mills was pressured and threw up a prayer that was picked off by Gardner-Johnson!

PHI take over from the HOU 17 after the 25 yard return!

Pierce is tripped up by his own man and dropped for a loss of two.

3rd and 6 from the HOU 24.

HOU take over from their 20 and Pierce gets 6 yards on a twirling 6 yard run.

2nd and 4 from the HOU 26 coming up.

The Eagles go three and out on their first two drives of the second half, and the Texans are holding strong.

After review, the call is reversed!

The Eagles will have a 4th and 2 from the 28 yard line.

Instead it's Sanders getting the RPO out of the shotgun and he just picked up the first down... or did he?

HOU wants to challenge where Sanders was down and the replay seems to suggest he was short.

Sanders is dropped at the line of scrimmage and the Eagles will have 3rd and inches. Good time to let Hurts do what Hurts does.

PHI get the ball at the 20 after the punt goes into the end zone and Sanders gets another big gain of 9 on first down.

2nd and 1 from the PHI 29.

Pass to the flat for Moore and he gets 9 yards but will be well short of the first down marker.

4th and 13 from the HOU 33.

Mills is incomplete on 1st and 20 and Pierce is dropped for a loss of two to bring up a 3rd and forever.

HOU starts their drive from their 36 and Mills with a deep ball to Howard, the pass was incomplete and a holding call will back the Texans up to the HOU 26 with a 1st and 10.

HUGHES GETS HIS SECOND SACK IN THE LAST THREE PLAYS!!!

The Eagles go three and out for the first time tonight on the first drive of the second half.

Sanders picks up a huge chunk on 2nd and long, and the 13 yard gain will give the Eages a 3rd and 3.

Hurts is sacked on the first play of the 2nd half! Hughts got into the backfield and dropped the QB for a loss of 6.

2nd and 16 for the PHI 11.

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM HOUSTON!

Philly get the ball first and take it from their 17 yard line.

Mills with his second TD of the first half, this one to Moore on the 13 yard TD pass.

Gainwell gave the Eagles the lead on a four yard run on third down.

It was an 18 play first possesion for the Eagles and they needed a 4th and Goal conversion to punch it into the end zone with Sanders' 3 yard run.

What a start to the game for the Texans. Mills hit Quitoriano on the two yard TD to open the scoring.

Jalen Hurts was on the money in the first half going 14/18 for 176 yards.

Sanders and Gainwell combined for 68 yards and two TDs on the ground in the first 30 minutes.

Mills making it interesting in Houston

Houston hung tight in the first quarter thanks to some fantastic running from Dameon Pierce who had 88 yards on 13 rushes.

Mills is having another great game at home, going 8/9 in that first half for 90 yards and two TDs.

MISSED FIELD GOAL!!!

Elliott missed the 54 yard field goal, and wouldn't you know it? We are going to half with the one-win Houston Texans tied at 14 with the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.

Hurts tucks and runs for a seven yard scramble.

That sets up a 54 yard field goal with 3 seconds to go in the half.

Hurts on the fade route to Goedert for a 21 yard gain and he gets out of bounds!

1st and 10 from the HOU 43.

Hurts hits Gainwell for a 3 yard gain to move the chains.

TO PHI with 24 seconds on the clock and a 1st and 10 from the PHI 36.

PHI start their drive from the PHI 25. Gainwell gets the first down hand off and picks up 8 yards.

2nd and 2 coming up after PHI takes a TO with 23 seconds left.

Pierce with a run up the middle for a 6 yard gain and the Texans have 2nd and 2 with under a minute to go!

Johnson collects the ball in the flat and follows some defenders for an 8 yard gain.

2nd and 2 from the PHI 19.

Pierce with a fearless run taking on tackles, bouncing off defenders and picking up 36 yards!

That takes us to the Two Minute Warning in what's been a very quick first half.

The Eagles bounced back after turning the ball over on their second drive. Sanders put the Texans up 14-7 on a 4 yard run.

Pierce pushes the pile for a 3 yard gain and that will keep the Texans drive alive.

1st and 10 from the HOU 37.

Pierce picks up 3 yards and the Texans will have 3rd and 1 from the HOU 34.

HOU starts their drive from the 25 and Pierce hits the hole on the left side for a 6 yard run.

2nd and 4 from the HOU 31.

Hurts tries to run it on the RPO, and he is stopped for no gain on 2nd down.

3rd and Goal from the 4 coming up.

Hurts with the QB sneak but he broke it outside and picked up an easy two yards on 4th and 1.

1st and Goal from the 10.

Hurts to Pascal on 1st down and that goes for 8 yards, and then Sanders is stopped for a yard gain to bring up 3rd and short.

Hurts to Goedert over the midle for a 15 yard gain.

The Eagles are running their offense so quickly I'm having trouble keeping up.

1st and 10 from the HOU 21.

Scott picks up 5 yards on first down, and the Eagles are getting what ever they want on the ground right now.

2nd and 5 from the HOU 36.

Back to Sanders and he breaks it up the middle for 25 yards! The seas parted for Sanders there and the Eagles have a 1st and 10 from the HOU 41.

Sanders with a big first down run to the left side. He was barrelling over the secondary to get over the first down marker.

1st and 10 from the PHI 34.

The Eagles were roling after two big plays on their second drive but this strip sack halted them.

The Texans couldn't do anything after the TO, but they will need some more of those kinds of plays to have a chance tonight.

Philly will take over from the 21 yard line after an 8 yard punt return from Covey.

Mills is dropped for a six yard sack by Hargrave on 3rd and long and the Texans will punt, but they did get the battle of field position back.

Mills is incomplete on his pass to Howard on 1st down, and Pierce picks up a yard to bring up 3rd and 9 from the 50.

Mills on the play action roll out to Howard for 14 yards on first down after the turnover.

1st and 10 from the HOU 49.

FUMBLE!!!

Hurts wasn't ready for the snap and Nelson jumps on the loose ball! Those are the kinds of breaks that the Texans will need to have a chance in this game.

HOU takes over from their 35.

Hurts hits Smith on the crossing route and that goes for 22 yards up the left sideline!

Just like that the Eagles are at the HOU 27.

Hurts hitting Brown who was wide open and he almost broke it loose for a 26 yards.

1st and 10 from the HOU 49.

Philly will take over from the 20 after Johnston's punt goes into the endzone.

The Eagles can take the lead and control of the game on this drive. Let's see if Houston can get a few stops to keep the Texans in this game.

A false start backs the Texans up to 3rd and 11, and Mills tries to do it himself with a scramble, but he's cut down after and 8 yard gain.

4th down coming up form the HOU 43.

The Texans can't afford to make penalties especially on 3rd down against the best team in the league.

The Texans go with a screen on the first play of the second quarter and Mills hits Pierce on a screen for 5 yards.

3rd and 6 from the HOU 40.

Pierce gets the toss and is eaten up in the backfield for a 1 yard loss.

That brings us to the end of the first quarter! HOU had a quick, efficient drive to start the game but PHI respnded with a long TD drive.

On 2nd and 5 from the 30 Pierce gets 6 yards on a powerful run to move the chains.

1st and 10 from the HOU 36.

The Texans get the ball from the 25 and Pierce gets 5 yards on the 1st down run.

What an opening drive it was for the Eagles. 18 plays, 91 yards and a Sanders 3 yard TD on 4th and Goal.

Rookie Quitoriano came right off the IR and in to the end zone for the first score of the game.

Sanders is stopped for a 1 yard gain and that will bring up 4th and 2.

Gainwell gets it in the flat and breaks through a few tacklers for a 5 yard gain.

3rd and Goal from the 3.

Hurts is rocked in the backfield after keeping it on the RPO and King came from behind and dropped him for a 4 yard loss.

2nd and Goal from the 8.

Huert going deep to Goedert on the fade pattern and thats a 16 yard gain on 3rd and 8 to bring the Eagles to the HOU 4 yard line with a 1st and Goal.

Hurts to Goedert on a short pass and he shuffles around defenders for a gain of 13 yards.

1nd and 10 from the HOU 22.

Hurts going deep to Brown and the WR couldn't drag the one handed catch down and almost deflected into the arms of a Texans defender.

2nd and 10 form the HOU 35.

Hurts to Gainwell for and 8 yard gain on 1st down and then Hurts goes back to Gainwell on a short pass to pick up 2 yards and a first down.

1st and 10 from the HOU 35.

Hurts hits Brown over the middle and he checks his run back and picks up 9 yards to just barley move the chains.

1st and 10 from the HOUU 45 and the Eagles are going no huddle.

Philly looking for the WR screen with Smith but HOU sniffed it out and stopped them for no gain.

3rd and 8 coming up from the PHI 46.

Hurts looks to Smith in the flat for a short gain of 2 yards.

2nd and 8 from the PHI 46.

Hurts using his legs to make plays! He rolls right and finds a wide open Watkins for a 23 yard gain to move the chains on thrid down.

1st and 10 from the PHI 44.

Hurts going over the middle for Goedert but he left it out in front of his TE and the Eagles will have 3rd and 6.

Sanders with the opening run of the Eagles night and he gets 4 yards on first down.

2nd and 6 from the PHI 21.

Hurts going to Goedert on the slant pattern, the pass was incomplete but the Texans were flagged for pass interference.

1st and 10 from the 17.

A holding call on the return will leave the Eagles at the 9 yard line to start their drive.

Hurts rolling out of pressure in the end zone and throws the ball out of bounds.

2nd and 10 from the 9.

Pierce runs left and picks up 6 yards inching the Texans to the PHI 2 on second down.

Mills going deep down the left side line to Dorsett for a big gain of 34 yards!

1st and Goal from the PHI 6.

Burkhead out of the backfield makes the catch, skips a tackle and picks up the first down.

He had work to do, but did a good job making the defender miss and pick up the 1st down.

1st and 10 from the PHI 40.

Pierce picks up three yards on first down, and then Moore with a run to the left that will leave the Texans with a 3rd and 5 as they get into PHI territory.

Pierce picks up the first down with a five yard run and the Texans are at midfield.

1st and 10 from the HOU 49.

Mills hits his first pass of the night finding Dorsett for 8 yards for a nice gain on first down.

2nd and 2 from the HOU 44.

Pierce gets the opening handoff and picks up 11 yards on a run up the middle.

Nice start for the Texans who have 1st and 10 from the 36.

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM HOUSTON!!!

The Texans receive the ball and will start their first drive at the 25 after a touchback.

Here comes Davis Mills and the offense looking to hang with the top team in the league.

Tonight's odds

The Eagles come in as heavy favorites tonight over the Texans. The spread is 14.5 and the Over/Under is at 45 according to Bet365.com. Double digit homedogs? On a short week? I’m taking the Texans tonight.

Hurts for MVP?

Jalen Hurts had his best game in terms of passer rating this season at the expense of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he was having an exceptional season before Sunday, the one knock on Hurts was his lack of touchdown passes. He had just six through the first six games of the season, but his four TDs against the Steelers has bumped his total to a very respectable 10, and let’s not forget about his six rushing TDs which is good enough for a tie for fourth in the entire league. Tonight the Houston kid comes home and looks to put on a show in a place he knows well.

Quinn and Graham the new Philly tag team

As if the Eagles weren’t good enough they hit the trade market hard and brought in a stud on the defensive line. They made a trade with the Chicago Bears which brought Robert Quinn to the City of Brotherly Love. The defensive end had 18.5 sacks last year with the Bears and now will plug into an already stacked D line with Brandon Graham on the other side. He played against the Steelers last week and had 19 snaps pressuring the quarterback twice.

Cue the split screen

Houston and Philly fans will have split interests tonight in this game. Not only are the Texans and the Eagles kicking off Week 8 on Thursday Night Football at the same time that the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies will be playing Game 5 of the World Series at the same time as this game. Each team has won a game one the road through the first four games, and whoever comes out of Philadelphia with a win will take a big step to lifting the World Series trophy.

Jalen Pitre and the Houston Texans will be looking to give their fans a rare reason to celebrate under the lights at NRG Stadium.

Jalen under the lights

All eyes are on Jalen Hurts tonight in his first primetime game of the season. He has been essentially flawless this season and he is more than capable of putting up another big night against this Texans defense. He is coming off a career high game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he comes into this game smelling blood tonight.

Houston last week

Houston needed 59 minute to punch the ball in to the end zone again the Tennessee Titans last week. On paper the 17-10 score line looks like the Texans kept it close but the truth of the matter is Tennessee had the game in the bag from the start. Derrick Henry rushed for over 200 yards while gaining just 161 yards all game long. Give credit to Houston, who are far from a good team but have stayed in games until the very end, but the loss against the Titans should not count as a game they were legitimately “in.”

Philly last week

The Eagles came off of their bye rested and refreshed with an unblemished record and had the luxury of taking on a young, wounded Pittsburgh Steelers team. Jalen Hurts passed for a career high four TDs in the 35-13 thumping at Lincoln Financial Field.

We are live from NRG Field

Hello everyone and welcome to Houston where the 1-5-1 Texans will host the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles as one of the top teams in the league looks to take care of business against one of the worst teams. Nothing has gone right for Lovie Smith and the Texans this year, but this young team has been in almost every game they have been in. Philly has been perfect in everything they have done this year. They have a terrific defense, a run game that can wear a team down over 60 minutes of football, and third year QB Jalen Hurts is one of the MVP favorites going into the second half of the season.

Eagles vs. Texans live

We have a battle of David vs. Goliath tonight as the Houston Texans host the Philadelphia Eagles to kick off Week 9. AS English will be with you all night with live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s rumble from NRG Stadium.