TNP: Vicks’ Eagles bounce Back? + Week 13 Picks

After being dismantled by Chicago, expect better results against Houston...

Thursday night’s game between the Eagles and Texans has a lot tilting in Philadelphia’s favor.

The Eagles just lost to the Chicago Bears and are sure to be hungry for a victory. Especially while fighting to stay tied with the New York Giants for the NFC East title.

Michael Vick will be reunited with former Falcons' teammate, Matt Schaub, now the starter for Houston. However, don't expect him to hold anything back on the porous Texans’ pass defense (31st in the league). Considering what he did to the low ranked Washington secondary a few weeks ago, the Texans game could look similar. Don’t be fooled by Houston’s dismantling of Tennessee’s Rusty Smith last week, who threw 3 interceptions to Texans’ CB Glover Quin. The Texans’ defense is as bad as the Eagles’ offense is great.

The Eagles defense should also bounce back after giving up 4 touchdown passes to Jay Cutler last week. The Eagles are currently the 10th ranked defense in the league (316.5 yds/g), last week’s performance was a bit of a fluke for them. Asante Samuel – who missed the Bears game – has been limited in practice all week and is officially listed as questionable for Thursday. If Samuel can return, the Eagles would get back one of their key playmakers to combat star wide out, Andre Johnson, and the Texans’ offense.

After Thursday night, the Eagles will keep pace in their division while finishing off the Texans’ season.

Philadelphia over Houston (35-17)
New Orleans over Cincinnati (28-9)
Chicago over Detroit (24-3)
Green Bay over San Francisco (21-10)
Denver over Kansas City (28-21)
Miami over Cleveland (19-10)
Minnesota over Buffalo (24-14)
Washington over New York Giants (21-14)
Tennessee over Jacksonville (14-10)
San Diego over Oakland (28-14)
St. Louis over Arizona (17-14)
Dallas over Indianapolis (28-27)
Carolina over Seattle (20-10)
Tampa Bay over Atlanta (24-20)
Pittsburgh over Baltimore (20-16)
New York Jets over New England (28-21)