Houston (0-4) at Seattle (3-2)
Series: First meeting
The line: Seahawks by 9½
TV: ESPN, with Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann
Radio: KXLY 920-AM, KVNI 1080-AM, with Steve Raible and Warren Moon
COACHES
Seattle: Mike Holmgren, 53-48, 7th season; 128-85 overall, 14th season
Houston: Dom Capers, 16-36, 4th season; 46-66 overall, 8th season
FAST FACT
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hasn’t been intercepted in his last 146 attempts. Jim Zorn set the team record of 153 in 1979.
ANALYSIS
Houston is the only winless team in the NFL, and there are a bunch of reasons why. The Texans rank last in total offense and passing yards. They have yet to force a turnover this season. They have allowed quarterback David Carr to be sacked 27 times. The Texans have sacked opposing quarterbacks only four times. They have scored just four touchdowns in four games, and they’re entering a six-game stretch against Seattle, Cleveland, Indianapolis (twice), Jacksonville and Kansas City – all with at least .500 records. Not that Seattle will hold a pity party. The Seahawks are trying to maintain their focus after last week’s road breakthrough at St. Louis. Seattle, No. 1 in the NFL in total offense, is without its top two receivers, but that wasn’t a factor against the Rams’ suspect secondary. Shaun Alexander has been stellar on Sunday nights, and he’s closing in on the team’s all-time rushing record. Seattle is expected to win big, but that always prompts concern. The Seahawks were home favorites by a touchdown or more against Dallas, Arizona and Miami last season and went 2-1, with hang-on wins over the Cardinals and Dolphins. This time Seattle takes care of business, 27-16.
INJURIES
Seahawks
Out: WR Bobby Engram (ribs), WR Darrell Jackson (knee), OT Wayne Hunter (hamstring); Doubtful: OT Floyd Womack (quadriceps), CB Andre Dyson (hamstring); Probable: LB D.D. Lewis (knee), WR D.J. Hackett (hip)
Texans
Out: LB Jason Babin (shoulder), DE Gary Walker (shoulder); Questionable: WR Andre Johnson (knee), WR Jerome Mathis (knee); Probable: DT Jerry Deloach (stomach), DE Junior Ioane (shoulder), DE Robaire Smith (elbow), P Chad Stanley (stomach), RB Jonathan Wells (toe)
Jim Meehan, staff writer