I don't care what anybody says. No team should be taken lightly. I still see the Hawks sending the Texans packing with another loss in their record books.
Game-day details
Sun., 8:30 p.m. ET, Qwest Field
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Partly sunny. High: 64. Low: 46.
Why To Watch
The Seahawks are flying high after defeating NFC West nemesis St. Louis, and moving atop the division. Matt Hasselbeck played last week’s game without his starting wide receivers and still executed Seattle's wide-open passing attack, hitting eight different players for gains.
But expect more rushing this week as Shaun Alexander is among the best in the business. He gives the 'Hawks the balance they need to control the clock to help cope with their injuries on both sides of the ball. Alexander tends to shine even more in prime time -- his biggest career game came against the Vikings on a Sunday night.
Houston continues to search for answers. Its offense leads the league in sacks allowed and it cannot win the turnover battle. Running back Domanick Davis provides the lone spark for that offense, which is looking to get on track under new coordinator Joe Pendry. If the Texans can get Davis going, it may open up the offense as a whole. Wideout Andre Johnson is an injury question mark, however, and with or without him, they need some production from their underachieving receivers.
Texans Keys For Success
1. Run multiple offensive formations. The revamped scheme installed by Pendry calls for running the same play out of different formations and personnel sets to confuse the defense while keeping it simple for the offense. The Seahawks will mix their fronts with a change of strength created by Houston’s motion, and are relying on rookie middle linebacker Lofa Tatapu to call out adjustments and get players aligned properly.
2. Run to the left. The Texans are most successful when running the ball behind left guard Chester Pitts and left tackle Victor Riley. Houston averaged 5.4 yards per carry against the Bengals in Week 4 when running their way, as opposed to a 2.3-yard average when running to the right. Seahawks end Grant Wistrom is built more for pass rushing, and cornerback Marcus Trufant has moved to the defense’s right side to avoid outside runs on his surgically repaired shoulder.
3. Play press coverage. Seattle is playing with an injury-depleted receiving corps that has trouble with timing plays. If cornerbacks Demarcus Faggins and Dunta Robinson can take away the quick pass with press coverage, the Texans can elect to walk a safety into the box to help neutralize the Seahawks' running game.
Seahawks Keys For Success
1. Think run first. The Seahawks prefer to pass to set up the running game, but with injuries to starting wide receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram and a Houston run defense that allows more than four yards per carry, they should lean toward a heavy dose of Alexander. Look for the Seahawks to run at outside linebacker Shantee Orr, who creates an alley by not squeezing down on inside runs to his side.
2. Use zone blitzes. Many of the sacks that David Carr incurs are brought on by holding the ball too long while trying to read coverage. The zone blitz, which has unexpected defenders dropping into coverage, increases Seattle’s chances of a big defensive play each time Carr hesitates when throwing the ball on timing routes.
3. Spread the field. Without their starting wide receivers last week, Seattle stayed with its game plan of using spread formations to stretch the defense horizontally, throwing quick timing routes to set up deeper passes and the running game. Regardless of who is available this week, expect the Seahawks to align in spread formations to challenge a Houston pass defense that gave up nine pass players of 13 or great yards last week. Look for wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (6-5) and tight end Jerramy Stevens (6-7) to again use size mismatches to their advantage.
Injuries at a glance
Texans injuries
10/11/05 Andre Johnson WR Calf Status unclear for Week 6
Seahawks injuries
10/11/05 Bobby Engram WR Ribs Looking doubtful for Week 6
10/11/05 Michael Boulware S Back Expected to play in Week 6
10/10/05 Darrell Jackson WR Knee surgery Out till at least Week 8
The Bottom Line
The Seahawks are supremely confident in their ability to make their schemes work regardless of who starts. The Texans have tried new schemes and replaced starters but wind up with the same results. Confidence goes a long way in the NFL and Seattle will continue to ride the wave.
Originally posted by Dude236@Oct 10th '05 @ 10:58 pm I'll be there!
i couldnt get tix
I LOVE sunday night football games. The stadium lights on... the noise... beating a sorry excuse for a team...
__________________
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (J @ May 11th '06 @ 8:53 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> i have to **** HIM.* that way HE can tell ME what it feels like in HIS *******. </td></tr></table><div class='signature'>
Dang Stevens and Jurevicious are still great fantasy players.. maybe even DJ Hackett
__________________
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (J @ May 11th '06 @ 8:53 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> i have to **** HIM.* that way HE can tell ME what it feels like in HIS *******. </td></tr></table><div class='signature'>
im sure there are still plenty tickets available, did you try craigslist? but ya this has the makings of a blowout written on it, i wouldnt be surprised to see alexander hit 150, we might even see a little seneca in the 4th.
Originally posted by Dude236@Oct 11th '05 @ 2:50 pm im sure there are still plenty tickets available, did you try craigslist? but ya this has the makings of a blowout written on it, i wouldnt be surprised to see alexander hit 150, we might even see a little seneca in the 4th.
Well to be honest i dont really have finance/time for this. But i know it would be sweet to be there.
I dont really see this as being a blowout, although theres a chance it could be... I think the Texans will relatively well on offense. Theyll establsh a run game, keep it kinda close for a while, and end up losing 16 to 27 or something like that.
__________________
</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (J @ May 11th '06 @ 8:53 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> i have to **** HIM.* that way HE can tell ME what it feels like in HIS *******. </td></tr></table><div class='signature'>
Texans @ Seahawks
Linear Mode
