This weekend in Texans opponents

Thanks to the dual miracles of sports talk radio and the interwebs, it's now possible to know virtually everything about your hometeam team on a second-by-second basis. The slightest tweak in a back-up tight end's tooth becomes a code red emergency, leaving the fan base gasping in disarray. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to a gap in information involving, you know, all those other teams in the National Football League.

In hopes of rectifying this dire problem, each week in 2006 Houstonist will clue you in on who our Texans will stare down that Sunday. We can't promise in-depth scouting, and there are probably some other publications more than capable of giving you that. Instead, we present you with Five Things You Absolutely Must Know About the Philadelpha Eagles.

1. They still have Donovan McNabb

The man's 2005 was deaded by Hurricane Terrell and a dreaded sports hernia. Aside from that, he's been one of the decade's top quarterbacks, a consummate gamer who will whup you on his own.

2. They come from hell

Even in their love, Philadelphia's fans are the most harsh and unforgiving on the planet. Don't even think that the Eagles can be had psychologically, or give a hoot about your crowd's energy.

3. Hell is a blue collar town

Defense and a powerful offensive line have long been an Iggle calling card. Safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis are absolute monsters, and end Jevon Kearse is itching to prove he's still the All-Pro the team signed in '04. They have such a tradition of blocking excellence that center Hank Fraley was once profiled in The New Yorker

4. Who will catch the ball?

Before Owens came to town, the Eagles had a long history of non-entities at receiver—ironic for a pass-heavy team. Now, they're at the mercy of promising second year talent Reggie Brown and former Saint Donte Stallworth.

5. Andy Reid will make you pay for paying attention

The rotund, red-headed coach is supposedly a mastermind in the West Coast style, but his playcalling philosophy stresses short tosses to people who are tackled immediately.

6. They are almost the Buffalo Bills, and this is scary

Before last year, this franchise had been to four straight NFC Championships and a Super Bowl. Underestimate at your own peril.

(If anyone's sore from us breaking our own rules on go number one, consider that "5a." And happy football to all!)