"This seemed like the perfect opportunity to make the birthday boy happy. Get him the ball. Pad his stats. Show him some love. Make DeSean Jackson feel appreciated, like the megastar he thinks he is.

The Eagles did not do that. Not really. Even though the best Houston had to offer Thursday night was a second-year corner out of New Mexico named Glover Quin, who did not have the foot speed to match Jackson, it was as if the Eagles forgot Jackson existed for much of the game.

Given what has transpired this week, that is not a good idea.

The Eagles got the victory after losing the lead in the third quarter. By beating the Texans, 34-24, they moved to 8-4 heading into a long weekend off before regrouping for a road game at Dallas. The Eagles moved the ball most of the night; were fairly efficient on third down; scored when they got into the red zone; and survived a night when the defense, once again, couldn't stop anybody.

But Jackson didn't have a big game against a secondary not known for having great success against talented receivers. The first play of the game went to Jackson, with Michael Vick hitting him with a perfect pass with no Texans in sight. It went for a 30-yard gain and looked to be a precursor for Jackson's first big performance since he caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis on Nov. 7.

It didn't work out that way.

Vick lived off a steady diet of Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy, and Jackson was a nonfactor until early in the fourth quarter, when he caught his third pass of the game. It was a big one, there is no doubt. His 33-yard gain moved the Eagles to the Texans' 11-yard line, and two plays later Vick ran the ball in for the go-ahead touchdown that gave the Eagles a 27-24 advantage they would not relinquish.

On the night, Jackson caught three passes for 84 yards. He did not get into the end zone.

Andy Reid insisted that the Eagles had Jackson's "number dialed up quite a little bit tonight," and that Jackson got extra attention from Houston "when you strike early like that."

"The defense, they're paying attention," Reid said."