SANTA BRINGS JOY TO THE (SPORTS) WORLD FOR CHRISTMAS

TEXANS FANS are hoping a win over the Eagles will be a great stocking stuffer for Christmas, just as Cowboys fans are looking for the gift of a playoff spot. Christmas Day comes with a clash between the Rockets and Thunder, but it also gives a sampler of Astros baseball for those longing for Spring Training to come along soon. SUNDAY: The Texans have a chance to not only clinch the AFC South title but also bolster their chances at a first round bye, yet it will be a tough task as they visit the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles at noon. Philadelphia, fighting for their postseason lives, has won each of the previous four meetings against Houston. For the record, a Houston professional football franchise has never defeated Philadelphia, as the Texans and Oilers are a combined 0-10. KHOU 11 will have the game live. Locally based Eagles fans may spend much of the afternoon flipping between the clash against the Texans and the matchup on Fox 26 between the Buccaneers and Cowboys, which also starts at noon. Dallas holds a one-game lead over the Eagles and Redskins in the NFC East and can ill afford a slip against a Tampa Bay team looking to play the role of spoiler. The game will also give locals a chance to see Galveston Ball alum Mike Evans, who was snubbed from a Pro Bowl spot despite a season that has seen him pull in 74 receptions for 1,328 yards and five touchdowns. MONDAY: There is nothing on the schedule. It’s Christmas Eve, which means extra time with family, friends, good music and the chance to finally start shopping if you’re one of those who take last minute gift buying to the extreme. According to Amazon.com, the most popular sports-related gifts are a Spalding NBA Street Basketball ($29.21), a dozen Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls ($39.99- $49.99) and an NFL Marque Printed Fleece Throw from the Northwest Company ($9.99-$37.99). TUESDAY: The Rockets will take part in the annual Christmas buffet of NBA basketball when they host the Thunder beginning at 2:00pm. Oklahoma City downed Houston 96-80 on November 8 and entered the game as the third seed in the Western Conference behind the play of Most Valuable Player candidate Paul George. ABC 13 will have the game live. While AT&T Sportsnet Southwest won’t have Rockets coverage, the network will air four of the more memorable games from the Astros’ 2018 season beginning at noon.