The city of Houston hasn’t seen a snap of Texans football since their 44-10 manhandling of the Baltimore Ravens way back on October 5. Since then, the Colts have roared to 6-1, the Jaguars are turning into pumpkins and the Titans are.. well, the Titans.
With that said, the national spotlight was on Houston and Seattle tonight, as the two teams battle on Lumen Field as they each look to solidify the respective courses of their season.
For Seattle, this would arguably be the best defense that they’ve
played all year. Also, a win would make them 5-2 and keep them tied for first in a hyper competitive NFC West.
For Houston, a win on the road against the Seahawks would make them 3-3 and give them a .500 or better record for the first time since week one. It would also cap off a mammoth three straight games of football where they’ve outscored their last two opponents 70-10, and potentially can take down an NFC playoff contender fresh off a bye. It would then put them only 1/2 game behind other AFC playoff hopefuls in the Jaguars, Chargers, and Chiefs.
The stakes were high and the stage was set. Stroud and the gang know that there was little margin for error. Let’s recap a late one:
Quarter 1 (14-0 Seattle)
Seattle dominated the Texans for what seemed like the entirety of the first quarter.
After the Texans defense held Seattle to a 3-and out on their first possession, the offense took the field looking to establish a rhythm early.
Nope. None of that here. Actually, C.J. Stroud and the offense put together one of the worst offensive quarters this side of the New York Jets.
For, in their first offensive possession, Stroud looked like he took an 18 yard safety sack after picking up only one first down. But, the officials declared him to be down by forward progress, thus saving the Texans from giving up a free 2 points to start the game.
That didn’t help much though, because after punting the ball to around mid-field, the Seahawks marched 44 yards and scored on a 1-yard Zach Charbonnet touchdown run. 7-0 Seahawks.
The scoring continued for the Seahawks, but not without some typical Texans penalty shenanigans.
Usual suspect, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty when he slammed Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold to the ground out of bounds right next to an official. *Whistle* Because, of course.
After, Darnold took advantage of the gift by firing a rocket to receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for an 11-yard score and 14-0 lead.
Quarter 2 (14-6 Seattle)
The second quarter started off in much of the same way offensively for Houston. But, at least Seattle finally joined them in offensive futility. Both teams exchanged punts for the first three possessions collectively.
Then, a glimmer of day break shined through, as Seattle got a little cute on a WR pass trick-play in the red zone and it led to an interception by Texans safety Calen Bullock.
Houston then capitalized by going 12 plays for 50 yards and a 36-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn to make it 14-3.
The Texans then followed that up by a blocking a Seattle field goal attempt with roughly 20 seconds left to give them a chance to possibly make things tighter before the end of the first half.
They were successful, as Stroud completed a clutch 29-yard pass to receiver Jaylin Noel deep down field, which then led to Fairbairn drilling a 46-yard field goal to make it 14-6 an end the half.
Quarter 3 (27-12 Seattle)
Stroud started off the 3rd quarter by throwing an interception to Seattle LB Ernest Jones. Although, it is worth noting that the ball was thrown with a Seattle defender wrapped around his waist.
The defense limited the damage to a 26-yard field goal to increase the deficit again to 17-6.
THEN! A sack-and-score of Darnold in the Seattle endzone by Will Anderson gave the Texans their first touchdown of the game and shrunk the lead to 17-12. The Texans then missed on a Stroud 2-point conversion pass to Dalton Schultz.
Unfortunately, Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to barbecue the Texans ‘secondary by catching a 26-yard dime by Darnold to set up K Jason Myers for 47-yard field to increase their lead to 20-12. (Note: Seattle’s 20 points tonight are the most scored against the Texans’ defense since Tampa Bay’s 20 in week 2)
Texans OC Nick Caley will have some explaining to do, because the Texans got stuffed twice in a row at their 40 yard line after only needing a yard or so to convert. Turnover on downs. The worst of it was the fact that Caley and Co. decided to try two ill advised Woody Marks runs up the middle to no avail.
Again, Seattle is the 2nd or 3rd best run stopping defense in the NFL, so anything short of something truly innovative or effective would be more risk than reward.
This led to another short yardage Seattle score by Charbonnet to make it 27-12.
Quarter 4 (27-19 Seattle)
The Texans defense struck again! This time, Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter stripped Seattle tight end Elijah Arroyo after a 6-yard catch for a fumble recovery by the defense.
It proved to be meaningless, as Seattle forced a turnover on downs after only seven plays and yet another Texans penalty for 15-yards for an illegal blindside block.
Derek Stingley then woke up by intercepting Darnold on a pass over the middle of the field. This was the 4th takeaway on the day for the Texans defense. (Of course, there was another penalty called on Houston due to unnecessary roughness call on Stingley out of bounds. That was their 7th for 81 total yards.)
Again, the defense’s effort was not rewarded. This time, a repeat of the goal line disaster from week 2 against Tampa Bay reared it’s repugnant head as Houston had multiple opportunities to score from the 1 yard line and was unsuccessful.
Mainly, it was due to yet more questionable play calling decisions when they decided go pass, pass, TO, false start, TO again and finally pass. What???
Yet, somehow later the Texans were able to score a touchdown with about 2:05 left in the game when Stroud extended a pass play and found Marks at the front of the endzone to make it 27-19.
Sadly, there would be no Denver Broncos-like comeback, as the Seahawks benefitted yet again from another Texans penalty on a Tim Settle unnecessary roughness call on 3rd down to give Seattle the first and end the game.
Final score: Texans 19, Seattle 27 (Texans had 10 penalties for 105 yards, were 2/15 on 3rd down and 1/4 on 4th down)
This was certainly one of the worst offensive games that Houston has ever put on tape since Demeco Ryans took the reigns as head coach in 2023.
Nick Caley has a lot of questions to answer, as does the team as a whole between their offensive line issues and inability to field any kind of effective rushing attack.
The Texans fall to 2-4 on the season and dig themselves an even deeper hole to climb out of for their last 11 games.
Next up, a four-game homestand starting this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
