Seattle Seahawks’ protection dominates Houston Texans in win

SEATTLE — Not every part was dangerous for Seattle sports activities followers on Monday evening.

Whereas the Mariners fell simply wanting making their first World Collection look, the Seahawks took care of enterprise at Lumen Subject, beating the Houston Texans 27-19. The Seahawks’ protection held Houston to 254 yards and sacked C.J. Stroud thrice, serving to them overcome 4 turnovers. In the meantime, Seattle large receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a landing cross whereas operating 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 elevate the ceremonial 12 flag at Lumen Subject. Then Seattle’s protection turned in a efficiency that might make the Legion of Increase proud.

The Seahawks harassed Stroud, sacking him thrice, intercepting him as soon as and holding him to underneath a 50% completion fee (23-for-49). Their loaded cross rush and sometimes sturdy run protection have 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 acquired one other big sport from Smith-Njigba, who caught eight passes for 123 yards and a landing, however it turned the ball over 4 instances and transformed solely twice out of 14 instances on third down.

This evening 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, doubtlessly enhance what already is without doubt one of the finest defenses within the NFL.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Sam Darnold has carried out a superb job this season of avoiding sacks and unfavourable performs on the whole, however he did not do this Monday evening. With the Seahawks backed up close to their very own purpose line within the third quarter, he tried to retreat ultimately zone with the pocket collapsing in entrance of him, resulting in a strip sack by Will Anderson Jr. that the Houston edge rusher recovered ultimately 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 Whole QBR. Darnold accomplished 17 of 31 passes for 213 yards and a scoring strike to Smith-Njigba.

Pattern to observe: If it wasn’t clear already, it must be now: Uchenna Nwosu is again to his previous 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 — certainly one of a number of accidents which have plagued him in latest campaigns. On a regular basis he has missed pressured the 28-year-old to take a pay minimize 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 a minimum of 100 receiving yards and a receiving landing in three straight video games, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. That is only one stat that illustrates the unimaginable begin he has needed to the season — the type of tear that’s placing him within the dialog for finest receivers in soccer. He entered Monday evening 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 response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, his 11-yard landing catch had a completion likelihood of 28%, the least possible scoring cross for the Seahawks to date this season. — Brady Henderson

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

The Texans’ disappointing offensive displaying was finest 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 finest shot to come back again to win a sport during which they pressured 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 thrice and threw an interception — together with one landing cross. Houston’s run sport 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.

Largest gap within the sport 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 sturdy swimsuit. Heading into Monday’s sport, opponents had accomplished solely 36% of their passes in opposition to Stingley in press protection, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats. And final season, Stingley allowed a passer ranking of 14.0 when taking part in press, the perfect within the NFL. Possibly Stingley, who had a fourth-quarter interception, may have slowed Smith-Njigba down if he have been allowed to play press protection.

QB efficiency: Stroud did not choose 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 toes, resulting in the errant throw. Total, Stroud’s numbers weren’t good, however the gamers round him did not assist sufficient.

Turning level: The Texans have 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. Working again Woody Marks acquired stuffed for no achieve. Then on fourth-and-1, they referred to as the same run play during which Marks acquired 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 sport: vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)