Well, they tried!
Try and try they might, the Houston Texans just couldn’t claw their way to victory in an ugly match against the Seattle Seahawks.
They might have picked Sam Darnold off, they might have blocked a field goal, they might have even scored a defensive touchdown thanks to Will Anderson Jr., but this Texans team just couldn’t get it done because their offense (or lack there of) was completely exposed by the Seahawks. Three quarters into the game, the Texans offense had amassed just 127 total yards, 10 first downs (3 coming from penalties), and averaged just 3.1 yards per play. After the game had mercifully ended, Houston had compiled 254 total yards, 18 first downs, a slightly improved 3.7 yards per play, and 2-15 on third down, polishing this turd of a game in garbage time to look every so slightly less terrible.
These may appear as just ugly stats, vapid and meaningless, but experiencing these Texans in action past midnight on a Monday created a unique form of suffering that thrived on suspense. Each yard felt like a mile when the Texans offense was on the field, each first down coming like a drop of water landing on your forehead. That sudden pat of water on your head was nothing special at first, but then you start waiting for the next drop…knowing that it will arrive, but when? When, oh when, will that next first down drop? That dreaded anticipation for the next first down, for the next drive not ruined by a mistake, for the next scoring drive…it will end you. Each offensive possession played out like a slow motion train wreck, as Houston dragged itself like a coffin up a hill, preordained to slide back at every third down.
Besides their momentary burst of life in the fourth quarter, the Texans were an empty husk of an offense all game long. In hundreds and hundreds of NFL games, four turnovers was enough for a team to win, even handily so. But, for the Texans and unfortunately for their adoring fans, that only means 12 points, and oh yeah, a loss. Similar in timbre to Houston’s heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions in 2024, this game was full of highlights on the defense countered by lowlight on the offense. But, this loss to the Seahawks somehow feels worse because of what was done between that Detroit game and last night in order to get the offense back on track. All of the 2025 offseason was built around ensuring the offense could never turtle up like it did in 2024 again, and what do they have to show for it? Seven punts, three turnovers on downs, and an interception on 11 of their 14 possessions – maybe the antithesis of what the Texans were hoping this offense would look like.
But, despite it all, they were still in a one possession game for much of the second half, nabbing their first touchdown with 2:04 left in the game to make it an eight-point contest and technically still be alive. Even though that might not sound like much, considering how high many of the pundits have ranked the Seahawks, it may just prevent Houston from sinking to the point of no return. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what 19 points against the vaunted Seattle defense will get you in this week’s NFL Power Rankings:
NFL.COM:
21. Houston Texans (2-4) (Last Week: 22)
Coming out of a bye that gave them extra time to prepare for the Seahawks, the Texans looked sloppy and unfocused early on. They settled down and made it a one-score game by halftime, but C.J. Stroud’s pick on the second snap of the third quarter was a killer. A couple drives later, Houston was stuffed on two Woody Marks handoffs on third and fourth downs — the first of three turnovers on downs in the second half. Stroud wasn’t great Monday, and the protection struggled, but you don’t trust your QB to throw it once there? Nick Caley’s play-calling begged a few questions after this one. Houston’s defense is still formidable — Will Anderson Jr.’s strip-sack touchdown gave the road team true life in the third quarter — but defending the deep ball posed problems. Not a crushing loss, but a frustrating-as-heck one — maybe an indication of the Texans’ ceiling and a reminder of the record they still must overcome.
ESPN:
21. Houston Texans (2-4)
Week 7 result: Lost to the Seahawks 27-19
Week 7 ranking: 18
Unsung nonstarter/role player: RG Ed Ingram
Ingram wasn’t even a starter entering camp. Former left tackle Cam Robinson (now with the Browns) suffered an injury early in camp, leading to a complete shake-up on the unit that led to Ingram stepping in at right guard. He has been the starter since then and has done well to fuel the Texans’ run game. General manager Nick Caserio said, “Ed has done a pretty good job and a change of scenery is good for everybody involved in that situation.”
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:
24. Houston Texans (2–4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 20
Last week’s result: lost to Seahawks, 27–19
This week: vs. 49ers
Seattle’s defense will make anyone look uncomfortable, but my goodness was Monday night an indictment on the offensive line and C.J. Stroud. Like Lawrence, two things can be true about Stroud as well: He is almost constantly under duress and he handles those situations increasingly poorly. It’s David Carr-ian or Carson Wentz-ian.
BLEACHER REPORT:
23. Houston Texans (2-4)
Last Week: 20
Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 27-19
Let’s just put it out there. The postseason aspirations the Texans had entering 2025? Their preseason status as the favorites in the AFC South?
Those hopes have evaporated.
Houston’s defense has done its level-best, including four takeaways Monday night in Seattle. But the offense is busted. Mostly because the offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL.
This is a wasted season in Houston—that line was already bad and essentially made worse on purpose because Laremy Tunsil made too much money. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing in what’s shaping up to be a lost 2025, and he’s eligible to be extended next year.
There are worse teams than the Texans. Many worse coaches than DeMeco Ryans. But good luck finding a general manager who bungled this year more than Nick Caserio.
CBS SPORTS:
21. Houston Texans (2-4) (Last Week: 22)
It’s hard to win when your offensive line stinks. Theirs is awful. They have big-time problems considering the schedule left to play.
USA TODAY:
22. Houston Texans (18): Now three games behind Indy in the AFC South, at least they get to play their next three games at home … albeit against three teams currently sporting winning records.
YAHOO! SPORTS:
22 (20): Houston Texans (2-4)
We found out Monday night that the improvement the Texans’ offense showed was simply due to facing the Titans and depleted Ravens. What we saw against Seattle was the same bad offense we saw in the first three games. It seems unlikely to get much better.
THE ATHLETIC:
24. Houston Texans (2-4)
Last week: 20
Monday: Lost to Seahawks 27-19
Reality check: The O-line isn’t giving them a chance
Yes, C.J. Stroud needs to be better. He was off target way too much Monday night. And, yes, DeMeco Ryans’ defense needs to be better. But the Houston offensive line is doing nothing for the running game and is making things difficult for Stroud.
Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
PRO FOOTBALL TALK:
23. Texans (No. 21; 2-4): At least they won’t have to pay C.J. Stroud $60 million per year.
Average Ranking: 22.33 (Last Week: 19.89)
Frankly, a total of 19 points is what they’ve earned. They were given opportunity after opportunity from the defense, which was able to lock down after giving up a lot of passing yards early. If they can’t score more than 19 points after such a great defensive performance, then they have to be expecting the Power Rankers to annihilate their team in this week’s power rankings.
What a bummer this season has been so far, huh? From Super Bowl dreams to eyeing up the 2026 draft board, Texans fans have experienced the full spectrum of emotions with their favorite team this year. While the season isn’t over yet, a record of 2-4 will be incredibly hard for Houston to dig out of, especially considering their next game will be against the 49ers. Houston should benefit from having Christian Kirk return to the starting lineup, but a good team shouldn’t become a vegetable on offense when one of their receivers goes down. The Texans need to prove they can be a resilient team, capable of counting on their depth to see them through a win. Until they do that, they aren’t going to be winning many games in the NFL.
What do you think, though? Have the Texans bottomed out, or do they still have more sinking to go? Will the Texans find their groove with their rookie receivers, or will the Texans continue to be reliant on Nico Collins and Christian Kirk as the season goes on? Let us know down in the comments below!
