HOUSTON vs SEATTLE

SEAHAWKS WIN 27 – 19

• Story of the Game – Houston’s OL problems persist and Seattle has their guy 

Although Houston managed to keep this game close through late mistakes and turnovers from Seattle their offense couldn’t do enough to win them the game despite having a number of chances to. Throughout this game Seattle’s defense controlled the LOS to the point CJ Stroud and even more so the Texans run game really had no chance. Stroud made multiple mistakes that nearly cost the Texans the game early as he tried to extend plays and make something out of nothing and while he’s not blameless in that the Houston pass protection gave him no chance at a positive play and that only became more apparent the few times they entered SEA territory as the field got shorter and everything speeds up. On the flip side the HOU DL made timely plays but early on struggled to hold the LOS as Seattle’s run game gouged the middle of the DL and really set the tone early. They were also able to pressure Darnold and force throw aways and even an interception in a big spot but Darnold, largely with his connection to JSN, found ways to move the ball despite Houston’s aggressive defense. While Darnold may not have had a beautiful box score game he once again impressed with a number of throws and continues to show that he’s the answer for the foreseeable future in Seattle. While it was another win and impressive showing in a number of ways from the Seahawks they continue to find ways through penalties and mistakes to allow teams to stick when they have no business doing so. There’s a lot to feel great about and I really believe in this team but they need to find ways to settle in when they have a lead. As for Houston this team has far too many flaws on the offensive side of the ball that really start and finish with the OL. There’s no consistency and no real peaks either… this isn’t just a struggling group that has potential it’s a group that looks lost and without answers and it’s leading to every aspect of their offense to struggle as seemingly have no strength at all. 

• Key Notes for the Seahawks 

Sam Darnold continues to show why he was worth moving on from Geno Smith and giving a large sum of money to. While Stingley was able to get a INT on him this game that’s going to happen against a guy like that especially when he has a pass rush like HOU does and I understand the safety was frustrating but once I think both of these bad plays speak more to the strengths of the HOU defense than it does Darnold or even Seattle’s issues. His connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to be arguably the best connection between QB and WR in the entire league and while you can sing JSN’s praises, and I will as well, Darnold plays a huge role in his success as well. Darnold’s ability to manage a pocket and be absolutely deadly accurate up and down the field cannot be overstated and along his arm he does just enough with his legs to force defenses to at least respect him as a runner. He was great last year in MIN but this year I believe he’s taken another step that just been absolutely outstanding to watch.

While Darnold has been amazing this entire offense deserves respect and recognition for what they’re doing. While the OL has some rough moments in pass protection and the WR core can lack a real threat outside of JSN there’s not much more you can complain about… well other than their affection for getting in their own way with penalties at times. But when you talk about the job Klint Kubiak is doing along with what JSN has been able to do week to week no matter the secondary or attention he gets from opposing DCs and despite the frustrating split of carries between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet for fantasy players it’s really a special group that clearly plays with an identity that not only is effective but complements their defenses that continues to show out for them. It’s one of my favorite teams to watch in the league and I believe their best football is a dead of them despite being 5-2 already. 

Defensively there were some struggles in the secondary but this group up front is absolutely lights out. Leonard Williams continues to play great football and quite literally every player along the DL/defensive front is matching his play. Byron Murphy II despite playing NT has wracked up a number of pressures and wrecked many of plays so far this year, Jarran Reed had an incredible game against Houston where he shot into the backfield and blew up a multiple runs, Uchenna Nwosu and Demarcus Lawrence along with Reed wrecked a number of plays against Houston and have had incredible years so far (despite injury to Lawrence being injured), and last but certainly not least Boyd Mafe has been outstanding this year off the edge as he’s really come into his own under HC Mike Macdonald. Just an incredible group that has a secondary and LB group that is tied together and while they have had some rough games I believe, just like the offense, has their best football ahead of them.

• Key Notes for the Texans 

While CJ Stroud had some mind boggling plays (not in a good way) in this game and he’s very deserving of criticism himself for them the OL issues cannot be overstated for the negative impact they’re having on this offense as a whole. Stroud is clearly pressing every time he has the ball as he’s expects every play to break down and it’s forcing rushed passes, uncharacteristically bad pocket management, and just overall a look of play that I would explain as frustration boiling over. The lack of quality play along the OL is effecting the run game just as much if not more than the pass game which in turn is destroying the key to their passing game or at least what once was the key, the under center play action passing game. Because of their inability to run and work the play action pass game the offense as a whole seemingly lacks any structure or “spine” that they can establish and lean on which leaves the offense with this feeling of being in limbo and rudderless not just game to game but drive to drive. I don’t know that there’s a fix to this issue but it’s real problem that needs to be addressed in some way… which may be left up to finding a time machine and going back to rescind the Laremy Tunsil trade.

The defense and special teams played a phenomenal game and counties to give this team a chance week to week as they seemingly always find a way to force a turnover, safety, or any other way they can to flip the game on its head just as they did in this game. Forcing two INTs and near safety that turned into a fumble for a TD gave their offense a chance when they really had no reason to be in this game and it’s incredibly disappointing that this group likely won’t be capitalized on this year as this offense continues to fail this group. I don’t know what else to say other than this may be the best defense in the league and it’s being wasted right now with no real positive outlook as to how it’s going to be fixed. 

• Standout Performers 

SEA

Sam Darnold – 17/31  231yds  1/1 

Zach Charbonnet – 12/49  2 TDs

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 8/123  1 TD

Ty Okada – 9 Tackles (6 Solo)  1 Sack  1 TFL  1 PBU

Ernest Jones IV – 11 Tackles (4 Solo)  1 TFL  1 INT  1 PBU

Entire DL – Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, Uchenna Nwosu, Demarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Jarran Reed

HOU

Dalton Schultz – 9/98 

• Repeatedly got into flat and picked up YAC that kept HOU opmoving on offense 

Will Anderson Jr – 5 Tackles (3 Solo)  1 Sack  1 TFL  1 FF – TD on FF

Jalen Pitre – 9 Tackles (4 Solo) 

Denico Autry – 2 Tackles  1 Sack   1 TFL