The Seattle Seahawks secured a 27-19 victory against the Houston Texans on October 30, 2023, showcasing a strong performance from both their offense and defense. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to impress, achieving his NFL-leading fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season. His contributions included eight receptions for 123 yards, solidifying his status as a key player in the Seahawks’ offense.
Seattle established control early in the game, with Zach Charbonnet scoring the first touchdown on a one-yard run during the Seahawks’ second drive. This initial score was aided by a significant defensive play where linebacker Uchenna Nwosu recorded an 18-yard sack on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, forcing Houston to start their drive from the one-yard line. The sack ranks as the third-longest in franchise history.
In the first quarter, Smith-Njigba extended Seattle’s lead to 14-0 by catching an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold. His celebration, which involved dunking the ball on the goalpost, resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This marked Smith-Njigba’s fourth touchdown catch of the season and made him the second player in Seahawks history to record three consecutive 100-yard games. With five 100-yard games this season, he is now tied for the second-most in a single season for the franchise.
The Seahawks’ offensive momentum continued as Charbonnet scored again late in the third quarter, this time on a two-yard run, bringing the score to 27-12. The Texans managed to score their first touchdown when Darnold was strip-sacked in his own end zone, allowing Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. to recover the fumble for a touchdown. Despite this, Houston’s attempt at a two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
The Texans did manage to add a second touchdown late in the game, with Stroud connecting on a four-yard pass to running back Woody Marks with just over two minutes remaining. Ka’imi Fairbairn contributed two field goals for Houston, but the defeat snapped their two-game winning streak, leaving them with a record of 2-4 for the season.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converted two of three field goal attempts during the game. With this victory, Seattle improved to 5-2 on the season, placing them in a tie atop the NFC West alongside the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks’ home record now stands at 2-2; last season, they finished 3-6 at Lumen Field.
In terms of injuries, Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young suffered a hip injury during the second half and did not return. The team also played without linebacker Derick Hall and starting defensive backs Julian Love and Devon Witherspoon. For the Texans, wide receiver Nico Collins was evaluated for a concussion and did not return, while they were also missing running back Dameon Pierce and defensive end Darrell Taylor.
Looking forward, the Texans will host the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday, while the Seahawks will take a bye week before visiting Washington on November 2, 2023.
