Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs with the ball against Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first quarter at Lumen Field.

The theme of the Seattle Seahawks' win over the Houston Texans? Pressure.

Seattle cruised to a 27-19 victory in the second game of the Week 7 "Monday Night Football" doubleheader, and it was all pressure all night for Seattle, whether it was on offense or defense.

Sam Darnold kept his scorching connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba hot, with the receiver snagging eight passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in the effort. Darnold's three turnovers – two interceptions and a fumble recovered for a touchdown - kept the game closer than the score indicated.

On defense, Seattle was missing Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love, but that was no issue for the unit. C.J. Stroud was under duress throughout the night, as he was sacked three times and threw an interception in the loss.

The Texans also lost receiver Nico Collins to a concussion early in the fourth quarter, putting Stroud in a more disadvantageous position. Stroud did his best to keep the game close late, with a touchdown to Woody Marks just before the 2-minute warning cutting Seattle's lead to eight points.

The Texans, though, opted to kick it deep to Seattle rather than attempt an onside kick, and on the ensuing drive, Seattle would secure the win, with some help: A Tim Settle unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for jumping on the pile gave the Seahawks a first down and the win.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below.

Seahawks vs. Texans takeaways

  • Playing with fire: The Seahawks turned the ball over four times, three courtesy of Sam Darnold (two interceptions, a fumble recovered for a touchdown). Somehow, the Seahawks still dominated the matchup, but the hyper-aggressive nature of Seattle's offense probably won't survive another performance like that against a quality defense.
  • Houston, we have a...you get it: Houston's offense remains disjointed. C.J. Stroud was under pressure throughout the night, and he didn't handle it well, throwing an interception and eating a sack. He was also off target on throws under pressure. With Nico Collins suffering a concussion, Houston will have to figure out what the issues are and quickly.
  • A sneaky Super Bowl contender? On the surface, Seattle's got it all: Good quarterback play, good offensive line play and a multi-faceted defense. While the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams might get a lot of the glamour, Seattle's sneakiness in the NFC West might prove beneficial to them as they hunt for a Super Bowl.

Seahawks vs. Texans highlights

Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gives Seattle the win

The Texans seemed to have a prayer of a chance at tying the game when they stopped Zach Charbonnet on third down, but a penalty on Texans defensive lineman Tim Settle gave the Seahawks a fresh set of downs and the opportunity to kneel out the clock for the win.

Seahawks 27, Texans 19

Seahawks-Texans score: C.J. Stroud finds Woody Marks for late TD

Just seconds before the 2-minute warning, C.J. Stroud found running back Woody Marks for a touchdown to cut into the Seahawks' lead. They still have life despite the sloppy play on offense. Seahawks 27, Texans 19

Nico Collins injury update: Texans WR has concussion

The Texans will have to navigate the rest of the matchup without No. 1 receiver Nico Collins, who suffered a concussion early in the fourth quarter vs. the Seahawks.

Seahawks-Texans score: Seattle defends holds from 3-yard line

The Texans had a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, and came up totally empty. The zebras may have missed an offsides call on DeMarcus Lawrence, which may have changed the complexion of the call on the fourth down.

Sam Darnold throws second INT of game

Derek Stingley Jr. picked off Darnold to keep Houston's hopes alive in the fourth quarter. Houston will have to make this drive count if they want a chance of keeping this game at least within arm's length.

Seahawks-Texans score: Seattle puts another TD on the board

The Seahawks are keeping their foot on the gas, whether it's by land or air. This time, Zach Charbonnet finds pay dirt with a short TD rush. With an extra point, the lead balloons to 15.

Seahawks 27, Texans 12

Seahawks-Texans score: Another Seattle field goal adds to lead

Jason Myers' 47-yard field goal stretches Seattle's lead late in the third quarter. It was, though, Sam Darnold's gorgeous throw and Jaxon Smith-Njigba's silky smooth catch that was the highlight of the scoring drive.

Seahawks 20, Texans 12

Seahawks-Texans score: Sam Darnold stripped in end zone, Will Anderson recovers for TD

The Texans needed a massive play to turn the tide of the game, and they may have gotten it. Backed up against his own end zone, Sam Darnold dropped back to pass and couldn't spin away from pressure, as Will Anderson strip-sacked the passer and recovered the ball in the end zone for six points.

Houston's 2-point try would fall short, leaving this a five-point game in the third quarter.

Seahawks 17, Texans 12

Seahawks-Texans score: Jason Myers extends Seattle lead

The Seahawks were unable to turn the Stroud interception into six, but three will do just fine: Jason Myers knocks through a 26-yard field goal to lengthen Seattle's lead to 11 in the third quarter.

Seahawks 17, Texans 6

C.J. Stroud throws interception to Ernest Jones

Stroud faced pressure on his first drive of the second half, and he airmailed a throw that landed in the arms of Ernest Jones IV. Jones would return it deep to Texans territory, but an illegal blindside block would bring the play back.

Seahawks, Texans kick off second half

The Texans get the ball coming out of the break with an opportunity to tighten the lead.

Seahawks-Texans score: Fairbairn field goal cuts Seahawks' lead to one score

The Texans' kicker remained perfect on the night with a 46-yard field goal to end the first half.

Seattle still leads, 14-6, at halftime.

Texans block Jason Myers' field goal attempt

Seattle drove into field goal territory on their two-minute-drill drive, but the Texans' defense stopped them at the Houston 34-yard line.

Denico Autry showed off a strong vertical leap to block Myers' 53-yard field goal attempt to keep the Texans' deficit at 11 points.

Houston's offense takes the field one last time at its own 43-yard line with 13 seconds left in the first half.

Seahawks-Texans score: Ka'imi Fairbairn gets the Texans on the board

Houston put together a 10-play, 60-yard drive before the offense stalled in the red zone.

Fairbairn knocked through a 36-yard field goal to get the Texans their first points of the game. It's now 14-3 Seahawks with just over two minutes left in the first half.

Calen Bullock picks off Cooper Kupp

Seattle tried to execute a trick play just outside of the red zone with Kupp, a wide receiver, throwing the ball to fellow wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp overthrew his mark, and the Texans' safety was in the perfect place to intercept the pass.

Houston takes back possession on its own 23-yard line, still facing a 14-0 deficit, with seven minutes to play in the second quarter.

Texans avoid safety, defensive TD in wild possession that ends in three-and-out

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was strip sacked on the Texans' first play, but Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas couldn't hold onto his scoop and score as running back Woody Marks knocked out the ball short of the end zone. A recovery in the end zone by wide receiver Braxton Berrios resulted in Houston retaining possession with a touchback.

Then, after all of that, the Texans gained just three total yards on the three-play drive before punting the ball away.

Seattle gets the ball back on its 43-yard line with just over nine minutes left in the half and a 14-0 lead.

Texans' defense gets a big stop

After two straight touchdown drives from the Seahawks' offense to end the first quarter, Houston held Seattle to negative-1 yard on a three-and-out in the Seahawks' first possession of the second quarter.

The Texans will take over on their own 24-yard line, looking to cut into a 14-0 deficit with 10:34 left in the first half.

Seattle defense stands strong again

For a second straight time, the Seahawks' defense shut down the Texans' offense immediately after a Seattle touchdown drive.

Houston picked up 11 yards on five plays before punting the ball back to the Seahawks. Seattle still leads, 14-0, and takes over possession again with 13 minutes left in the first half.

Seahawks-Texans score: Jaxon Smith-Njigba flagged after second TD

Smith-Njigba hauled in an 11-yard pass from quarterback Sam Darnold, who was hit hard as he threw.

The third-year receiver celebrated his fourth touchdown of the season by dunking the ball through the uprights and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Kicker Jason Myers knocked through the PAT from 15 yards further out to tack on the extra point.

The Seahawks now lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Seattle defense shuts down Texans after touchdown drive

The Seahawks' front seven came up big against three straight touches for Texans rookie running back Woody Marks.

After Seattle's offense took a 7-0 lead with running back Zach Charbonnet's touchdown, its defense forced an immediate three-and-out for the Texans' offense. With just over five minutes left in the first quarter, the Seahawks' offense will take over once again, this time starting on their own 20-yard line after a punt and touchback.

Seahawks-Texans score: Zach Charbonnet drives through scrum for a Seahawks TD

Seattle takes a 7-0 lead on a one-yard run from Charbonnet to cap off a 44-yard drive.

The drive was carried by a 27-yard pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to rookie Elijah Arroyo, and Charbonnet finished it off with a tough run. The Seahawks' running back fought through early contact and kept his feet moving to push the pile forward across the goal line.

The Texans will get a chance to respond after the ensuing kickoff just over halfway through the first quarter.

Seahawks come within inches of a safety on Texans' first possession

Seattle's defensive front chased Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud backwards 18 yards and sacked him at the Texans' 1-yard line. Uchenna Nwosu first made contact with Stroud outside of the end zone, so even though the quarterback landed behind the goal line on the sack, the ball was spotted at the Houston 1.

A punt out of the back of the end zone later, the Seahawks take over at Houston's 44-yard line for a second possession with 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

Texans force three-and-out to open the game

Houston's defense came out strong to open the second "Monday Night Football" game of the Week 7 doubleheader. The Seahawks gained seven yards on third down but came up a yard short of the first down. They elected to punt from their own territory.

The Texans will begin their first possession on their own 4-yard line after a good punt from Michael Dickson.

Who are the announcers for Seahawks vs. Texans?

Chris Fowler (play-by-play) is flanked by Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky in Seattle.

Seahawks, Texans kick off in Seattle

The Seattle offense takes the field as they receive the opening kickoff. Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba look to keep their torrid connection rolling.

What time is Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans?

  • Start time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PST)

The Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans will kick off at 10 p.m. ET. It's the second game of the "Monday Night Football" doubleheader to finish off Week 7.

How to watch the Texans game tonight

  • TV channel: ESPN/ESPN2

The Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans game will be broadcasted on ESPN on Monday night.

The Lions-Buccaneers matchup ran long, pushing the start of the matchup to ESPN2.

It will be ESPN's No. 2 commentary team on the call in Seattle with Chris Fowler handling the play-by-play. Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky join Fowler in the booth to provide analysis. Katie George and Peter Schrager will report from the sidelines.

Seahawks vs. Texans live stream

Fans looking to stream "Monday Night Football" in Week 7 have no shortage of options. Cord cutters can find the game on Fubo, which comes with a free trial, and also ESPN's streaming services, ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select.

Watch Seahawks vs. Texans with a Fubo free trial

Seahawks vs. Texans prediction

The Texans appeared to find something before their bye week and are set to enter some unfriendly confines on Monday night – or are they? Seattle hasn't enjoyed much of a home field advantage in 2025, posting a 1-2 record at Lumen Field. They are fresh off another trip to the east coast and now have to contend with a Texans team that is determined to shake off an uneven start to the season. Underdogs have printing money in prime time lately and Houston had plenty of time to get ready for this contest. It may not be glamorous, but the Texans get the job done in Seattle.

Prediction: Texans 21, Seahawks 16

Seahawks inactives vs. Texans

The Seahawks will be without Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love vs. the Texans, hurting their secondary vs. Houston.

Texans inactives vs. Seahawks

Wide receiver Christian Kirk will be inactive for tonight's game vs. Seattle.

Seahawks vs. Texans live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks vs. Texans score, highlights, takeaways for Monday Night Football

Reporting by Nick Brinkerhoff and Joe Rivera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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