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The Houston Texans travel to Seattle for Monday Night Football with a chance to build on their momentum. The Texans enter at 2-3 after defeating the Ravens 44-10 before their bye week. The Seahawks sit at 4-2 but have struggled at home this season with a 1-2 record at Lumen Field.
Houston’s defense ranks first in the NFL in scoring, while Seattle’s offense has been one of the league’s most productive units.
The Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is playing his best football after earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors following Houston’s dominant win over Baltimore.
“Our o-lineman did a great job, and that’s where it starts, I’m one of the best when I can get the time, and I can deal it out, and our o-lineman did an amazing game.” He emphasized the offensive line’s crucial role in his dominant performance that day.
The matchup favors Houston’s passing attack. In Week 6, the Seahawks dealt with multiple secondary injuries. Starting safety Julian Love and cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen all missed the game against Jacksonville.
Stroud is likely to target the middle of the field, where Seattle’s injuries leave them most vulnerable. The Texans may favor quick slants and crossing routes, which will help them get the ball out fast and avoid Seattle’s pass rush.
Even if some of those players return, the Texans have had two weeks to prepare. Offensive coordinator Nick Caley studied Seattle’s defensive weaknesses during the bye week. “When [Nick Caley] is calling a great game, and receivers are running really good routes. We’ve been getting at practice every week, and I think that’s where you see the growth,” Stroud said after the Ravens game.
Houston will likely start conservatively with short passes to build rhythm. Once Stroud gets comfortable, Nick Caley can open up the playbook with deeper shots downfield. The Seahawks struggled with this approach from Jacksonville.
Nick Chubb’s presence in the backfield helps Stroud. In five games with Houston, Chubb has 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The running game keeps Seattle’s defense engaged and creates opportunities for play-action passes downfield.
Stroud could throw for 275-300 yards with two or three touchdowns if the protection holds up. The Texans quarterback knows what’s at stake. “We can be really good. When we clean up mistakes, don’t have a bunch of penalties, and play complementary football in three phases, I think this is what you get,” Stroud said after the Ravens’ win.
The Texans’ defensive line might dominate this game. Houston’s Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. pass-rushing duo is one of the most dangerous in the league.
Hunter has been excellent on Monday Night Football throughout his career. This season, Hunter already has four sacks and continues to pressure quarterbacks. Hunter should have multiple chances to get after Darnold on third downs. The Texans will likely put pressure on passing downs when...
