Seattle Seahawks’ defense dominates Houston Texans in win

SEATTLE — Not every thing was dangerous for Seattle sports activities followers on Monday night time.

Whereas the Mariners fell simply in need of making their first World Sequence look, the Seahawks took care of enterprise at Lumen Discipline, beating the Houston Texans 27-19. The Seahawks’ protection held Houston to 254 yards and sacked C.J. Stroud 3 times, serving to them overcome 4 turnovers. In the meantime, Seattle extensive receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a landing move whereas working again Zach Charbonnet ran for 2 extra scores.

Listed below are crucial issues to know from Monday’s matchup for each groups:

Moments earlier than kickoff, the Seahawks had franchise legends Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas increase the ceremonial 12 flag at Lumen Discipline. Then Seattle’s protection turned in a efficiency that may make the Legion of Increase proud.

The Seahawks harassed Stroud, sacking him 3 times, intercepting him as soon as and holding him to beneath a 50% completion fee (23-for-49). Their loaded move rush and usually robust run protection had been sufficient to maintain Houston’s offense out of the tip zone till late within the fourth quarter regardless of Seattle once more taking part in short-handed within the secondary, with Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love each inactive.

Seattle’s offense received one other large recreation from Smith-Njigba, who caught eight passes for 123 yards and a landing, however it turned the ball over 4 occasions and transformed solely twice out of 14 occasions on third down.

This night time belonged to the protection, whose dominance helped Seattle enhance to 5-2 heading into the bye. Whereas the Seahawks are off the remainder of the week, they may not be idle with the Nov. 4 commerce deadline approaching and a possible commerce candidate in cornerback Riq Woolen, who is not a part of their long-term plans. The Seahawks expect Witherspoon (and Love) again after the bye, which may give them extra freedom to maneuver Woolen and, relying on what they get in return, probably enhance what already is likely one of the greatest defenses within the NFL.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Sam Darnold has executed a superb job this season of avoiding sacks and unfavourable performs basically, however he did not try this Monday night time. With the Seahawks backed up close to their very own aim line within the third quarter, he tried to retreat in the long run zone with the pocket collapsing in entrance of him, resulting in a strip sack by Will Anderson Jr. that the Houston edge rusher recovered in the long run zone. Darnold was sacked one other time and threw an interception within the fourth quarter, making it an atypical efficiency for a quarterback who had entered the competition ranked third in Complete QBR. Darnold accomplished 17 of 31 passes for 213 yards and a scoring strike to Smith-Njigba.

Development to look at: If it wasn’t clear already, it must be now: Uchenna Nwosu is again to his outdated self. His sack of Stroud within the first quarter was his sixth in as many video games this season. The veteran edge rusher missed the opener whereas getting back from offseason knee surgical procedure to restore a torn meniscus he suffered in final season’s finale — one among a number of accidents which have plagued him in latest campaigns. On a regular basis he has missed compelled the 28-year-old to take a pay reduce over the offseason to return to Seattle, creating loads of uncertainty over his future with the Seahawks past 2025. However that is changing into much less of a query.

Stat to know: Smith-Njigba grew to become the primary participant in Seahawks historical past with not less than 100 receiving yards and a receiving landing in three straight video games, in response to ESPN Analysis. That is only one stat that illustrates the unbelievable begin he has needed to the season — the sort of tear that’s placing him within the dialog for greatest receivers in soccer. He entered Monday night time main the NFL in receiving by a large margin with 696 yards, and he prolonged that lead with one other 123 yards in opposition to Houston. In line with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, his 11-yard landing catch had a completion likelihood of 28%, the least doubtless scoring move for the Seahawks to date this season. — Brady Henderson

Subsequent recreation: at Washington Commanders (Nov. 2, 8:20 p.m. ET)

The Texans’ disappointing offensive displaying was greatest symbolized by an anemic goal-line possession within the fourth quarter.

Down 27-12 with 5:21 remaining, Houston lined up on the Seahawks’ 3-yard line whereas coping with a deafening, flag-waving Lumen Stadium crowd. The Texans’ offense did nothing to silence the followers: The sequence of performs — a 2-yard run, an incompletion, one other incompletion, a false begin then one more incompletion — resulted in a turnover on downs, ruining their greatest shot to return again to win a recreation during which they compelled 4 Seattle turnovers.

When the sport was on the road, Houston folded. The outing featured one other slog for Houston’s offense, which may generate solely 13 factors and 254 whole yards. Stroud was sacked 3 times and threw an interception — together with one landing move. Houston’s run recreation was invisible, totaling simply 56 yards. It was a disappointing displaying coming off a bye, which adopted a 44-point displaying in opposition to the Ravens two weeks in the past.

Greatest gap within the recreation plan: All-Professional cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. versus Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s main receiver, was a marquee matchup. Smith-Njigba completed with eight catches for 123 yards and a landing, with Stingley permitting 49 yards and the rating. However Stingley by no means matched up in opposition to him in press protection, the cornerback’s robust go well with. Heading into Monday’s recreation, opponents had accomplished solely 36% of their passes in opposition to Stingley in press protection, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. And final season, Stingley allowed a passer ranking of 14.0 when taking part in press, the most effective within the NFL. Perhaps Stingley, who had a fourth-quarter interception, may have slowed Smith-Njigba down if he had been allowed to play press protection.

QB efficiency: Stroud did not decide up the place he left off earlier than the bye, when he threw 4 landing passes in a 44-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. In Seattle, Stroud handed for 229 yards and threw an interception whereas solely main his offensive group to 13 factors. It wasn’t all his fault; there have been a number of performs when there have been free rushers, resulting in a sack or throwaways. On Stroud’s interception, there was a free rusher at his ft, resulting in the errant throw. General, Stroud’s numbers weren’t good, however the gamers round him did not assist sufficient.

Turning level: The Texans had been trailing by eight factors late within the third quarter as their offense confronted a third-and-1 at their very own 41-yard line. Operating again Woody Marks received stuffed for no acquire. Then on fourth-and-1, they referred to as the same run play during which Marks received stuffed once more, leading to a turnover on downs. The Seahawks scored a landing on the following drive to go up 27-12, which gave them sufficient of a cushion to win. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent recreation: vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)