The Eagles moved to 7-0 for the first time since 2004 with a dominant 35-13 win over the Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes to A.J Brown in the first half and finished with 285 yards passing, and four touchdowns as Philadelphia overcame a slow first-quarter start.
The Birds are now in Houston for a prime-time matchup against the Texans, and the expert picks are in.
The Inquirer -- Eagles
All three writers from the Inquirer are rolling with Philadelphia big time.
Houston’s best shot on offense is to run out of spread formations against a defense preoccupied with stopping the big play. And on the other side, they have to hope the law of averages as it applies to turnovers finally catches up with quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles.
I’m not betting on it.
NFL.com -- Eagles
Greg Rosenthal is rolling with the Eagles.
The Texans have been competitive for three quarters most weeks, but this is not most weeks, and the final score is determined after four quarters. Lovie Smith’s defense has quietly taken a step back this season, especially against the run. Davis Mills’ conservative approach wasn’t working with Nico Collins healthy and Brandin Cooks happy, and now neither is true. Meanwhile, the Eagles don’t even need to pass when they have a historically good running game rolling. But they can pass, and they will!
CBS Sports -- Eagles
Pete Prisco is picking the Birds.
The Eagles are undefeated and playing at a high level. The Texans are not playing close to that. But this is a short week, which can challenge the road team. The real challenge with the short week is for teams preparing for the Eagles offense. That’s the difference here. Jalen Hurts keeps playing well.
Philly Voice -- Eagles
Jimmy Kempski is picking the Birds by a wide margin.
I could point you to our “five matchups to watch,” and get into detail about how the Texans can’t stop the run, or that that they have major holes on their roster at this spot or that spot. On the flipside, I could also point out that the Eagles have a road game on a short week, and that maybe this matchup has the makings of a “trap game” ahead of a mini-bye.
We probably don’t need to overthink it. The Texans are arguably the worst team in the NFL, and the Eagles, as 13.5-point favorites, are one of the best, and they should win comfortably, as they have done all season long.
Sporting News -- Eagles
The Sporting News has the Eagles winning and covering a huge spread.
That is a huge spread for a Thursday Night Football game, even for the Eagles, who are 5-2 ATS and have allowed more than 20 points just twice this season. Philadelphia also has just two turnovers this season, and Jalen Hurts will continue the connection with A.J. Brown, and the Eagles keep rolling in the NFC.
the MMQB -- Eagles
Albert Breer and company are picking Philadelphia.
Bleacher Report -- Eagles
Bleacher Report is picking the Birds.
In Week 8, running back Derrick Henry ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per carry against the Texans. Hurts and running back Miles Sanders will run away with this game and never look back.
The Athletic -- Eagles
The Athletic staff is picking the Birds.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has become the star of this team and has already accounted for 16 touchdowns (10 passing, six rushing) and only two interceptions. He has a pair of outstanding wide receivers on the outside to throw to, including A.J. Brown, who has been one of the best offseason pickups in the league. After his three-touchdown performance on Sunday, he is now up to five touchdowns on the year and is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch.
Pro Football Talk -- Eagles
Mike Florio is rolling with Philadelphia.
Florio’s take: The Eagles have never started a season 8-0. Until this season.
Houston Chronicle -- Eagles
The Houston Chronicle is rolling with Philadelphia.
