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Seahawks Top Texans 27-19 Behind Star Receiver, Defense

Sandy Verma | October 21, 2025 11:24 PM CST

Seahawks Top Texans 27-19 Behind Star Receiver, Defense/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Seattle’s defense propelled the Seahawks to a 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. Smith-Njigba posted his fifth 100-yard game of the season, while the defense delivered key stops and turnovers. Seattle moves to 5-2 entering its bye, tied atop the NFC West.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, bottom, in the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet, center holding ball, scores a touchdown on a running play as the Houston Texans defend in the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seahawks vs Texans Quick Looks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba logged 123 receiving yards and a touchdownhis fifth 100-yard game of the season.
Seahawks’ defense forced multiple turnoversincluding a strip sack and Ernest Jones’ third INT of 2025.
Sam Darnold threw for one touchdown but was strip-sacked for a Texans score.
Zach Charbonnet rushed for two TDs as Seahawks built a 27-12 lead.
Texans’ offensive line struggled; Stroud was sacked three times and hit seven more.
Houston’s only offensive TD came with 2:04 left in regulation.
Seahawks improve to 5-2while Texans fall to 2-4.
Seahawks now tied with 49ers and Rams in the NFC West standings.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Deep Look: Smith-Njigba’s Spark and Defensive Grit Push Seahawks Past Texans, 27-19

SEATTLE — October 21, 2025 — In a primetime Monday night matchup at Lumen Field, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a resurgent Seattle Seahawks defense delivered in commanding fashion, helping Seattle notch a 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans and climb to the top of the NFC West standings.

Smith-Njigba, now firmly entrenched as one of the league’s elite receivers, caught 8 passes for 123 yards and a touchdownadding another 100-yard performance to his breakout season. His touchdown, an 11-yard strike from Sam Darnoldfeatured a rare show of flair — a spontaneous slam dunk over the crossbar that earned him a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The celebration may have cost 15 yards, but it underscored Smith-Njigba’s growing star power. The 2022 first-round pick has now posted three consecutive 100-yard games and is tied for second-most 100-yard games in a single Seahawks season.

Defense Steps Up Big

While Smith-Njigba dazzled, it was Seattle’s defensive unit that set the tone early.

Linebacker Uchenna Nwosuback from injury, delivered a crucial sack on Texans QB C.J. Stroudpinning Houston at its own 1-yard line. That field position led to Zach Charbonnet’s first touchdowna 1-yard plunge that gave Seattle a 7-0 lead.

Later, Ernest Jones IV picked off Stroud to start the second half, his third interception of the season — a career-high — and returned it 28 yards. The play led to a 26-yard field goal by Jason Myersstretching the lead to 17-6.

Jones finished with a game-high 11 tackles, 4 solo, 1 tackle for loss, and a pass deflection. He leads Seattle in interceptions and total tackles.

Texans Offense Falters

Houston’s offense struggled to get going for most of the game. The Texans’ first touchdown didn’t come from the offense but from their defense — Sam Darnold was strip-sacked in the end zone, and Will Anderson Jr. recovered the ball for a score. Houston failed the two-point conversion attempt.

Stroud connected for his only offensive touchdown late in the fourth quarter — a 4-yard pass to Woody Marks with just over two minutes remaining.

The Texans’ offensive line allowed 3 sacks and 7 QB hitsan issue that has plagued them even with improved protection this season. Through seven games, Stroud has now been sacked 18 timesan improvement over the 52 sacks he took last season — but Monday night felt like a regression.

Charbonnet’s Double, Myers’ Miss

Seattle’s Zach Charbonnet added another layer of offensive balance, scoring two rushing touchdowns — including a key 2-yard score in the third quarter that extended the Seahawks’ lead to 27-12.

Jason Myers connected on two of three field goals, missing a 46-yard attempt early in the game but bouncing back with kicks of 26 and 34 yards.

The Seahawks offense, beyond Smith-Njigba’s brilliance, did not light up the scoreboard, but did just enough — particularly against the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense.

Lumen Field Edge Returns

Seattle has now evened its home record to 2-2 after a disappointing 3-6 mark at home in 2024. Last season’s dominance came on the road (7-1), but Coach Mike Macdonald stressed the importance of re-establishing home dominance in 2025.

Injury Report

Seahawks:

WR A young tree suffered a hip injury in the second half and did not return.
LB Derick HallS Julian Loveand CB Devon Witherspoon were inactive.

Texans:

WR Nico Collins exited with a concussion evaluation and did not return.
RB Dameon PierceWR Christian Kirkand DE Darrell Taylor were ruled out pregame.