My Prediction Pick For Sunday...

[SeatownJay]

I still think it will be a defensive battle, but with Seattle missing 3/5ths of their starting offensive line, including both Pro-Bowlers, I think the Texans now come out on top, 17-13.

 

[Anonymous]

Not me, I think we will still win.

 

[KARAVARUS]

Hawks win 21-16

 

[Largent80]

Our defense is too good, and they are giving up a lot of points.

We WIN

 

[drdiags]

I just remembered that Houston is the .NET away game.

Their record isn't very good, though I remember them going to New Orleans when Trufant put out the Saints RB with a clean hit but Duece McAlister not being too happy about it. Anyway, they are the Kiss of Death for the Seahawks.

Give up all hope, we are doomed!

 

[Sarlacc83]

If we're really the deepest team than that has to mean something come game time. Since I think Seattle is the deepest team in the league, I expect the backups to hold to the same standard as the starters. Seahawks gon' win.

 

[Spokanefan]

A win, but closer than it was going to be if the O-line was healthy; 13-10, with the D/ST really stepping it up (if that's possible). Quinn is going to start to really show, I think, what all of the speed rushers together can do for our D when they are out there together - and it will only get better with Irvin's return in Indy......

 

[calihawk]

I hope our first play is a pass play followed by a play action pass to help the running game have a good start.Probably won't happen but ten points should win this game .

10-3 Hawks

 

[The Outfield]

I think the Beast will have a good game to make up for potential pass rush issues.

 

[RolandDeschain]

If we're really the deepest team than that has to mean something come game time. Since I think Seattle is the deepest team in the league, I expect the backups to hold to the same standard as the starters. Seahawks gon' win.

Yeah, but O-line is the weakest part of our team. I'm definitely concerned that DangeRuss will be running out of the pocket (not by choice) on half of the snaps or more.

 

[SeaChase]

Historically we have never been 4_0, if it was at home I say we break that but I think we lose this one

 

[loafoftatupu]

Other: my pick is unchanged, but I was pretty confident that they would drop a tight one. They are going to lose a very small number of games, this being one of them.

If I am wrong and the Hawks win? I am going to have a hard time picking against them the rest of the season. Houston is a dangerous squad, I am not fooled by the performance in previous weeks. They are good enough to beat anyone.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Historically we have never been 4_0, if it was at home I say we break that but I think we lose this one

History is irrelevant to stuff like this, we've never had a team like the one we have now.

 

[Sarlacc83]

If we're really the deepest team than that has to mean something come game time. Since I think Seattle is the deepest team in the league, I expect the backups to hold to the same standard as the starters. Seahawks gon' win.

Yeah, but O-line is the weakest part of our team. I'm definitely concerned that DangeRuss will be running out of the pocket (not by choice) on half of the snaps or more.

Being the weakest part of this time isn't exactly an insult. The team is so good across the board that average looks "bad". And I won't be convinced our back ups suck until I see it. I believe.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

I saw this preseason as a loss. As Houston's offensive ineptitude became more apparent, I saw this as another statement Hawk win where they pull away in the 4th. Now, with our oline in tatters, two rookies and Sweezy starting alongside rusty old Carpenter and McQuistan, I see this game going entirely differently than ever before.

Turnovers will break either team so let's not focus entirely on those because both defenses are capable of creating them, but I will get back to that later.

Instead, I see this game now as a battle for field position.

Seahawks on offense: Texas has a great run D so with our injuries, it is doubtful we can establish a rushing game. Expect uninformed fans/media to start wondering if Lynch is slower, has lost a step, etc. The FB situation will only be more exacerbated. Wilson's ability to evade the rush will be put to the ultimate test this Sunday. I expect a relentless rush. Some have suggested putting 3 TE sets in and running down their throats with quick outs to the TE's. Actually, that might not be a bad idea. We'll see what Pete does Sunday. I have faith in him to come up with a good plan. But given the matchups, I don't think we generate a lot of offense.

Texans on offense: Even Texan fans think they have no chance against our D, describing the upcoming game as "spilling out our guts and making us eat it." Schaub will face a withering rush equal to what I expect Wilson to face, but Schaub is a statue back there. He will need quick outs and that's precisely what the LoB won't give him. For them, the question is can they run the ball. If they can, then they have a chance. A chance, but no guarantee. That's because this game hinges on...

Special Teams: The Texans punter so far this season is averaging 48.3 yards per punt. Ryan is averaging 42.3, but that's a little low for him historically so I'm thinking small sample size, whereas the Texans punter is doing about as well as he usually does. So they'll punt further than we will. That doesn't matter, however, because the Texans are the worst team in the NFL at covering punts, giving up a league worst 16.6 yards per return. Seattle, OTOH, is the leagues best, limiting opposing teams to a paltry 1.4 yards per return.

So over the course of each half, the field position will shift slowly in the Hawks favor. That's assuming no other factors.

Other Factors: Turnovers and Russell Wilson vs Matt Schaub. Wilson and Schaub will decide which team wins the turnover battle. Turnovers will be critical in this game as each team strives for field position. Wilson hasn't looked especially sharp on the run, but if he avoids bad throws like he made a couple of so far this year, then we should be fine. I am certain Pete is stressing with him the importance to not try to force the ball and make mistakes. Despite Wilson being mobile and Schaub being a statue, Wilson has been sacked 8 times to Schaub's 7. Both have thrown for 6 TD's, but Schaub's thrown 4 Ints to Wilsons 2. This is the key stat IMO. Houstons D has only 1 pick this year. Seattle has 5. Schaub will be under relentless pressure to make quick throws to receivers who are being jammed off their timing routes. Expect him to make mistakes.

So long as Wilson doesn't make mistakes, even if our offense is stagnant, we should win an ugly game of FG's and a TD or two.

 

[RolandDeschain]

I'm not saying they'll suck, I just never expect equal performance from backups. When they do, it's a pleasant surprise, but most of the time backups are backups for a reason. (Except, seemingly, with our corners; haha. I am pretty sure Lane and Thurmond could start and keep the job for like, 25 teams in this league.)

 

[CallMeADawg]

I originally had us winning 31-9. But with our O-Line injuries I have us winning much closer with a score of 17-9. But I'm sure we all would still take it. Right?

Correct. Our 2nd stringers aren't bullshit. Being a Capricorn and a Seahawk fan makes me naturally negative. Luckily Wilson isn't and I trust in him. This is very scary but I am IN!!

+1

 

[RichNhansom]

Online relies on chemistry and they lose that with backups. Coleman has not been impressive and will look worse behind a makeshift online. Mrob would have been nice to have this game. I doubt we will be able to run and Wilson has yet to find a good groove. All the ingredients are there for a loss. Our D is awesome but if we cannot sustain drives it will be a very long game.

I hope I'm wrong but 4-0 doesn't look likely to me. Hopefully I am pleasantly surprised Sunday evening.

 

[kmedic]

I don't think the Texans have to do anything tricky up front against our tattered line. I am imagining RW running for his life all day with Houston only rushing four. Carroll said this will be the most pressure the Hawks will see all season and I believe him. The only way I see the Hawks getting anything goin on offense is running the ball. If the Hawks can't run the ball I see this is as a certain loss. The Hawks D will play well and tough but at some point they won't be able to hold off Foster, Daniels, AJ, and Hopkins.

Revised prediction:
Hawks 13
Texans 20

 

[SonicHawk]

Texans are fraudulent.

This is a blowout.

Seahawks 31-9