If regression had a name, it’d be called the Houston Texans’ offense following a bye week.
If progression was a person, it’s be Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba entering a contract season out at Lumen Field.
Behind a fifth 100-yard receiving performance from Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks blasted past the Texans in a 27-19 victory in front of the hometown crowd. Even with the Texans’ defense forcing four turnovers, the lack of an offensive indentity was enough to give Seattle a cushion.
Smith-Njigba’s consistency to win in space gave Seattle opporunities to set up scoring drives and respond to the lackluster play-calling from the Texans’ offense. After hauling in a touchdown as time expired in the first quarter, the former teammate of C.J. Stroud finished with eight catches for 123 yards and a score, becoming the second player in franchise history to record three straight 100-yard games.
Houston’s defense was the story of the evening in a positive light. The Texans intially found their way into the end zone after Will Anderson Jr. strip-sacked Sam Darnold in his own end zone midway through the third quarter before recovered the fumble in the Seahawks’ end zone to make it 17-12.
They Texans would fail to reach the end zone until the final two minutes when Stroud connected with Woody Marks for a 4-yard pass, bringing Houston within eight and keeping hope alive. A late hit penalty by Tim Settle on the final drive set up the kneel down and secure a Seahawks win in front of their crowd.
One thing to keep an eye entering Week 8 is the status of Nico Collins. At the start of the fourth quarter, Collins was evaluated for a concussion after taking a hit on a pass attempt and did not return. He finished with four catches for 27 yards.
Tight end Dalton Schultz led Houston in receptions (nine), receiving yards (99) and first downs (six). Rookie wideout Jaylin Noel proved his value with a four catches for 77 yards, including two grabs of over 20 yards downfield.
The Texans averaged 3.3 yards per rush, while Stroud led Houston in rushing yards with 25. The third-year passer finished 23-of-49 for 229 and an interception.
Houston had three opportunites to score in the red zone and only walked away with seven points. Two failed fourth down attempts secured premier stops for Seattle’s defense, which only allowed 254 yards to the Texans’ offense.
The Texans return home to take on the San Francisco 49ers after falling to 2-4. They’ll. need to win all three home games if they plan on sitting at 5-4 going into Week 10’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Instant analysis: Jaxon Smith-Njigba torches Texans’ defense in 27-19 Seahawks’ victory
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
