Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks

The Houston Texans will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. Pacific) on Monday, October 20, 2025. The game is part of the Monday Night Football doubleheader and serves as the late contest of the evening. For the Texans, this marks their return from a bye week, while the Seahawks aim to protect home turf in one of the league’s loudest and most challenging environments for visiting teams.

Houston enters the matchup with a few key injuries that could affect their offensive rhythm. Wide receiver Christian Kirk is sidelined with a hamstring injury, removing one of quarterback C.J. Stroud’s most reliable targets. Cornerback Alijah Huzzie is also out with a knee issue, while safety Jaylen Reed and defensive tackle Denico Autry are listed as questionable. On the Seattle side, cornerback Devon Witherspoon and safety Julian Love are both game-time decisions due to lower-body injuries, though cornerback Riq Woolen has cleared concussion protocol and is set to return. The Seahawks have elevated defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad to strengthen depth in the secondary.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has emphasized maintaining the defensive intensity that has defined Houston’s season so far. His team currently ranks among the top in fewest points allowed per game, a testament to Ryans’ disciplined system and ability to generate consistent pressure. With Kirk unavailable, Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are expected to expand the roles of Nico Collins and rookie receiver Tank Dell, while leaning on running back Dameon Pierce to balance the offense. On the other sideline, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is looking to re-establish a dominant home performance through a balanced offensive plan featuring quarterback Sam Darnold, running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III, and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Defensively, Seattle will prioritize aggressive blitz packages to test Houston’s young offensive line.

The national press has cast this game as a measuring stick for both teams. For Houston, it’s an opportunity to prove that their defensive success can translate against a high-powered opponent in a tough road environment. Seattle, meanwhile, is viewed as a team trying to regain early-season consistency after mixed performances in recent weeks. Reporters have highlighted the contrast in coaching styles—Ryans’ methodical, defense-first approach versus Macdonald’s aggressive and adaptable schemes—and noted that both teams see this matchup as a chance to solidify playoff positioning heading into midseason.

Studio analysts have zeroed in on three key themes heading into kickoff: how Houston’s defense will handle Seattle’s quick-strike passing game, whether C.J. Stroud can stay poised under pressure from Seattle’s defensive front, and how each team manages turnovers in what is expected to be a low-scoring, physical game. Analysts generally favor Seattle slightly, citing their home-field advantage and offensive efficiency, but several have warned that Houston’s defense could keep the game close deep into the fourth quarter. Ultimately, much of the discussion centers on whether the Texans’ balance between a top-tier defense and a developing offense can outlast a Seahawks team that thrives under the bright lights of primetime.

NFL 2025-26 Week 7 – Monday, October 20, 2025, Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks Full Game Replay

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