It should come as no surprise that head coach Doug Pederson used fourth down on Sunday as a personal playground to torment the Houston Texans. Four times Pederson went for it on fourth down and four times the offense delivered with first downs – and on two of the plays, much more than that.
"I love when he gives us the go-ahead on fourth down," center Jason Kelce said. "We have confidence that we're going to make it. Today, we did."
Pederson's Eagles converted 20 of 29 fourth downs last season, including the "Philly Special" to help beat New England in Super Bowl LII. This season, the Eagles converted 50 percent of their fourth downs – until Sunday.
- On fourth-and-2 from the Houston 37-yard line on the Eagles' first possession, Foles took the snap and quickly got the ball out of his hand to running back Darren Sproles in the right flat, a quick and nifty pass that allowed Sproles to make a catch in space and then his magic. Well, Sproles did his magic. He danced down the sideline, made a couple of Texans miss, and reached the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a first-possession lead. The Eagles are 5-0 when scoring first in 2018.
"We thought they would be in man coverage and would have a chance," Sproles said. "It worked exactly as we thought it would."
- Midway through the second quarter, the Eagles faced a fourth-and-3 play at the Houston 8-yard line and instead of lining up for a Jake Elliott field goal, Pederson went for it. Tight end Dallas Goedert released to the right side of the formation and was wide open in the flat. He caught Foles' quick throw and slipped as he planted his foot. Had he not slipped, Goedert would have scored on the play. Instead, he gained 6 yards to the 2-yard line.
- On the same drive, after a series of penalties against both teams gave the Eagles a first down at the Houston 16-yard line, the Eagles faced a fourth-and-goal scenario at the 1-yard line. Foles dropped back to pass, hung in the pocket, and drilled a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz in the middle of the end zone to cap the drive.
- In the third quarter, on the Eagles' first possession, Foles ran a quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-1 play at the Philadelphia 43-yard line and gained a yard to keep the drive alive. Foles threw an interception on the next play, however, ending the drive.
Still, the message was sent: The Eagles weren't going to back down from being aggressive in this must-win game.
"It works for us," said Goedert. "You're out there and you want to make a play and we know that our coaching staff has the confidence in us to execute the calls. That gives us a lot of confidence."
Take a look at the best photos from the Eagles' Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans.
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Corey Graham
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
LB Jordan Hicks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
LB Nathan Gerry
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Tre Sullivan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
G Brandon Brooks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Michael Bennett
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Deiondre' Hall
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Golden Tate
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Head coach Doug Pederson and Texans head coach Bill O'Brien
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles and TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Chris Long
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Michael Bennett
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
G Stefen Wisniewski
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
C Jason Kelce
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Brandon Graham
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
LB Jordan Hicks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
G Brandon Brooks
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Josh Adams
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Josh Adams
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Wendell Smallwood
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Golden Tate
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Angels CF and Eagles fan Mike Trout
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Tre Sullivan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Boston Scott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
CB Rasul Douglas
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz and WR Golden Tate
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
RB Darren Sproles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Richard Rodgers
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Chris Long
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Alshon Jeffery
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TEs Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
LB LaRoy Reynolds
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Chris Long
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
WR Nelson Agholor
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz and QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
S Malcolm Jenkins
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Tim Jernigan
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DE Chris Long
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Fletcher Cox
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
Head coach Doug Pederson
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
K Jake Elliott and P Cameron Johnston
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
DT Tim Jernigan and DE Chris Long
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018
