HOUSTON – Despite the, at least temporary, loss of the starting quarterback and two turnovers that have led directly to Texans touchdowns, the Eagles enter the locker room with a 17-14 lead at halftime against Houston.
Nick Foles left the game at the end of the first quarter after suffering a left shoulder injury when he was sacked on the final play of the quarter. He had been 10-of-13 for 124 yards, one touchdown and one interception (a pick-six for Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye).
On Sanchez's first play under shotgun, he threw a 52-yard completion deep down the middle to Jeremy Maclin. Despite an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the play, the Eagles would score five plays later on a beautiful toss from Sanchez to Jordan Matthews on 3rd-and-goal from the 11. The score would give the Eagles a 14-7 lead.
After the defense forced a Texans punt on the ensuing drive, Sanchez began to lead the offense quickly down the field again. But on a first down play from the Texans' 35-yard-line, Sanchez threw in the direction of rookie Josh Huff, only for the pass to go off Huff's hands and into the waiting arms of Texans cornerback Jumal Rolle.
The Texans would cash that turnover in for a touchdown when Ryan Fitzpatrick found running back Arian Foster on a wheel route down the right sideline for a 56-yard touchdown to tie the score with 3:58 remaining in the half.
The Eagles would respond with a well-managed final drive of the half, going 53 yards on 13 plays before Cody Parkey hit a 45-yard field goal as time expired on the first half.
The Texans will receive the ball to start the second half.
LEADERS
Passing
Nick Foles – 10-of-13 for 124 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 99.5 quarterback rating
Mark Sanchez – 7-of-9 for 111 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 115.5 quarterback rating
Ryan Fitzpatrick – 6-fo-9 for 110 yards, one touchdown and a 145.6 quarterback rating
Rushing
LeSean McCoy – 11 carries for 44 yards, two catches for six yards
Arian Foster – Nine carries for 32 yards, two catches for 63 yards and a touchdown
Receiving
Jeremy Maclin – Three catches for 122 yards and a touchdown
Jordan Matthews – Three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown
