A quiet night for DeSean Jackson

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to make the star receiver happy. Get him the ball. Pad his stats. Show him some love. Make DeSean Jackson feel appreciated, like the mega star 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.

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

You know he wanted much more, especially after The Inquirer reported on Wednesday that Jackson was upset about his contract, was texting nonstop with his agent Drew Rosenhaus, and that Rosenhaus has told him that the Eagles will use his lack of eye-popping production this season against him in their renegotiations.

Instead, Jackson has now gone three games without a touchdown. He did stand back and fair-catch a punt. So that is something.

It wasn't breaking news that Jackson is upset with his contract. He is making significantly less than Jason Avant, who has an important but much smaller role in the offense.

Jackson is the man. He has the speed, the elusiveness, the ability to turn a nothing play into a something. And Jackson is a big reason Maclin is having such a nice season. Jackson consistently draws safety help. If he is double covered, as he often is, someone will be open or some part of the field will be free.

Maclin doesn't catch nine passes for 120 yards against the New York Giants two weeks ago if Jackson isn't on the field.

Jackson knows this, and perhaps in a normal year, without the threat of labor unrest, the Eagles would have already reworked Jackson's rookie contract. They have a long history of doing that in November with players they drafted.

This is a different year, a different labor environment, not that that is much consolation to Jackson. The Eagles are in a tricky spot because they have to keep Jackson on board, and from the sound of it, he might be drifting away.

The last thing the Eagles need is a Terrell Owens situation. A Freddie Mitchell situation wouldn't be much better. Remember Mitchell, and how he used to put his hands on his hips when the ball would not come his way, how he would shake his hands toward the sky and tap at an imaginary watch when he finally did get a ball?

That kind of behavior is not good for a team or an offense, and while Donovan McNabb put up with it, I can't imagine Vick would.

Vick handled Jackson and his pouting after the Chicago game with precision. He spoke with Jackson one-on-one after that two-catch performance, stroked Jackson's ego, and said publicly that he would help the young receiver get back on track. Jackson needed to remember, Vick said, that the opposing team's players get paid, too.

The Eagles should take a page out of Vick's book. If they can't show Jackson the money, show him more love. Get him the ball. Throw to him time and again. Boost his confidence and pad his stats.

Thursday night was a perfect opportunity that slipped away.

Contact staff writer Ashley Fox at 215-854-5064 or afox@phillynews.com. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AshleyMFox.