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The Seattle Seahawks defended their home field on “Monday Night Football,” dominating the Houston Texans en route to a 27-19 victory.
Seattle improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Texans, fresh off a bye week, fall to 2-4.
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense got off to a roaring start in the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns on their first three drives as Zach Charbonnet and Jaxon Smith-Njigba found dirt once again this season.
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates his touchdown catch as an official signal and looks on during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Meanwhile, CJ Stroud and the Texans offense couldn’t get a single thing going all night against this dynamic Seahawks defense. The first four drives for Stroud ended in punts, with no more than five plays in any of them.
Surprisingly, both teams went into halftime with a one score game as the Texans were able to convert on two field goals before the second quarter clock hit zero to make it 14-6.
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Then, in the second half, disaster struck for the Seahawks when Darnold was strip-sacked by Will Anderson Jr. in the end zone and the ball was recovered by the Texans for a much-needed touchdown. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but at 17-12 the game was within reach if Houston could figure something out on defense.
However, Darnold led the Seahawks to another field goal in the third quarter and Stroud turned the ball over on downs, causing this game to get out of hand.
The fourth down was at Houston’s own 41-yard line, and Darnold turned the field with a 19-yard pass to Smith-Njigba to get into the red zone. A few plays later, Charbonnet added another short run for a score to make it 27-12.
Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a Seattle Seahawks fumble in the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Texans’ defense kept trying to keep their team in the game, including their fourth turnover of the game when Derek Stingley Jr. Darnold snapped. But even when the Texans were at Seattle’s 3-yard line, they were unable to score a touchdown as the Seahawks’ defense remained relentless.
But Stroud was finally able to get a red zone drive that ended in a touchdown when he found running back Woody Marks to make it 27-19. It wasn’t enough time for Houston, though, as the Seahawks got the job done in the end.
Looking at the box score, Smith-Njigba had another 100-plus yard game, collecting eight catches for 123 yards with his touchdown to lead the game. And while Charbonnet scored the two touchdowns, Kenneth Walker III added 66 yards on 17 carries on his birthday.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
For the Texans, Nico Collins left the game early with a head injury and finished with just four catches for 27 yards on 10 carries. It was tight end Dalton Schultz who led the way with nine catches for 98 yards.
