Published Oct 17, 11:43am ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 17, 11:43am ET
Grok AI
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| Seattle Seahawks | -3.5 (+100) |
| Houston Texans | +3.5 (-120) |
After their 10-7, AFC South-winning season in 2024, in which they beat the favored Chargers in the Wild Card and put a scare into the Chiefs, the Texans were viewed as a team about to take the next step into serious contention in 2025.
However, in the first three games this season, they lost to the Rams, Buccaneers, and Jaguars to start 0-3. Murmurs began about head coach DeMeco Ryans' job security. They weren't scoring, leading to questions as to why they blamed former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and fired him after last season.
Two straight wins have quelled the anger. Of course, one was against the atrocious Titans; the second was a beatdown of the reeling Ravens. Still, in those two games, they outscored their opponents 70-10.
The #Texans are dominating an injury-stricken #Ravens team. pic.twitter.com/WwOmyr2oZB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 5, 2025
Now they're back in the playoff conversation as they head to Seattle for a major test against the Seahawks.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been up and down. He was mediocre in the loss to the Rams; bad in the losses to the Bucs and Jags; and excellent against the Titans and Ravens.
While the Texans are known for their hard-hitting defense, the team will succeed or fail based on their QB. They need their rushing attack to improve. They are trying to make do with veteran Nick Chubb and are waiting on the injured Joe Mixon to return.
Their defense leads the NFL in fewest points allowed. They are 5th in defensive passing yards per game and 7th in defensive rushing yards per game. The defense is holding up its end of the bargain.
Jalen Pitre is second in the league in interceptions with 3. Their secondary is excellent, led by All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. They're a tough test for Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold.
The Seahawks are 4-2 and tied with the 49ers and Rams in the NFC West, one of the toughest divisions in the league.
They have already lost to San Francisco in Week 1, 17-13. Their other loss is to the Bucs, 38-35 in a wild shootout where Baker Mayfield led the Bucs to 10 points in the last 1:08.
Seattle dominated the Steelers, blew out the Saints, and beat the Jags by 8.
Darnold is proving that his Pro Bowl season with the Vikings was no fluke. With a functional but not star-laden set of receivers and backs, he leads the NFL in yards gained per pass attempt at 9.6 and yards gained per completion at 13.5. He has 11 TD passes against 3 picks, and a passer rating of 116.0.
Sam Darnold to JSN for a long TD! What a season these two are having!#Seahawks pic.twitter.com/pcNNpFNXLm
— The Bench (@ReadTheBench) October 12, 2025
The Vikings could certainly use Darnold. There are no longer questions as to what Darnold is. So, it's not this Darnold, said in wonderment, with the implied question of whether it's for real. Now, it's the Darnold.
Top receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is blossoming with Darnold. He has 42 catches and 696 yards, well on his way to a career-best season.
Seattle's secondary is vulnerable. They're 24th in the NFL in defensive passing yards per game. They are 2nd in the league in defending against the run based on yards per game. The Seahawks are tied for 4th in the league with 7 picks. They're 3rd in the league in sacks with 20, led by Byron Murphy, Leonard Williams, and DeMarcus Lawrence.
A play here and a lucky break there, and the Seahawks would be sitting at 6-0.
They're dangerous.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Alijah Huzzie, HOU | INJURED |
| Joe Mixon, HOU | INJURED |
| Justin Watson, HOU | INJURED |
| Jaylin Smith, HOU | INJURED |
| Cade Stover, HOU | INJURED |
| Riq Woolen, SEA | INJURED |
| Devon Witherspoon, SEA | INJURED |
| Julian Love, SEA | INJURED |
| Nehemiah Pritchett, SEA | INJURED |
| Josh Jones, SEA | INJURED |
| Derick Hall, SEA | INJURED |
In the Texans-Seahawks NFL Week 7 matchup, Houston faces a tough test against what might be the NFC's eventual representative in Super Bowl LX, Seattle.
Have the Texans righted their ship after a rotten start? Or will the Seahawks contain Stroud and ride Darnold to another key win?
While Houston's defense tries to intimidate its opponents, Seattle's lack of star power on offense plays into the Texans' hands. They won't be afraid of going over the middle and taking the hits to get the ball downfield. Expect Stroud to be running for his life and to throw the ball to the other team at least once.
The Seahawks will cover the 3.5-point spread.
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Pick
Seattle Seahawks -3.5
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