Week 4 Game Preview: Texans vs. Seahawks

The Houston Texans didn’t resemble the top AFC title contender many expect them to be this season in their 30-9 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens last weekend. However, one poor showing certainly won’t derail their chances and it shouldn’t derail their hopes for an AFC crown as they head back home to take on the 3-0 Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Can the Texans put a collar on Seattle’s current “Beast Mode” status? With the talent they have on both sides of the ball, it’s possible, but knocking off the Hawks will be a tall order indeed.

In their week four match-up, the Hawks have been given a three-point edge over the Texans by odds makers, which won’t be all that surprising to those who have seen Seattle play this year. The Seahawks not only destroyed the lowly Jaguars last week, but they impressively shut down the 49ers in a blowout victory in week two. Seattle’s defense has amazingly played above and beyond the lofty expectations placed upon it and the offense has been stellar as usual.

Even though they’ve looked untouchable, the Hawks are vulnerable, especially away from the comfortable, but very noisy nest they call CenturyLink Field. Seattle’s only played one game away from the Link this season and it happened to be the one in which it looked quite flawed – its 12-7 week-one win at Carolina.

The unfortunate part for Houston is that it has looked flawed in all three of the games it has played so far. Houston’s two victories – one of which went to overtime – have come against the Chargers and the Titans by a combined six points.

However, that’s not to say the Texans haven’t impressed statistically. After three games, they rank in the top 10 in passing offense, rushing offense, passing defense and rushing defense – something that not even the Hawks can say.

Of course, statistics don’t win games and the most telling one is that Seattle is 3-0, while Houston is 2-1. Houston will definitely present the Seahawks with plenty of challenges on both sides of the ball, but it would be unwise to go against Seattle with the momentum it currently has on its side.

Expect a close game in Houston this week, but look for Seattle to cover -3 in the win.