Week 8: Seahawks vs Texans Picks & Predictions

Check out which side the national media is predicting to win Sunday's matchup between the Houston Texans (3-3) and Seattle Seahawks (4-2) at CenturyLink Field. Elliot Harrison at NFL.com expects an entertaining game on offense for both teams, and a 28-25 win for the Seahawks, "Originally had this game as a top-flight matchup of 2017. That's because I thought Tony Romo might sign with the Texans, with both defenses looking fantastic. Little did I know that not only would J.J. Watt notbe playing in this game, but that Deshaun Watson would "Tecmo Super Bowl" the crap out of the NFL as Houston's rookie QB. Oh, and now Tony Romo is the best listen among all color guys in the business. Yet, here we are, with what is, perhaps, still Week 8's most fun game taking place between two teams that rarely play one another. The uni matchup will be ugly. The scoring won't be as low as people expect. Seattle's offense is so due, while Watson is a thrilling watch. What's interesting about his game is how much better he's performed inside the pocket, in spite of his readily apparent athleticism. His completion percentage is 10 points higher inside the pocket (64.4) than outside (54.1), while his TD-to-INT ratio is really out of whack: Watson has tossed 14 touchdowns against three interceptions in the cup, with one touchdown and two picks outside. Cool stuff. #OROY" Sarah Barshop at ESPN.com believes Seattle's defense has what it takes to slow down Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, predicting a 20-14 Seahawks win, "With Deshaun Watson under center, the Texans feel they have a chance in any game, but the Seahawks’ defense could slow him down on Sunday. Watson has thrown for 12 touchdowns in three games but faces the No. 1 defense in points allowed per game. It will be a close one -- and Watson will keep the Texans in the game -- but Houston will lose its fifth consecutive game to an NFC West opponent. " Brady Henderson at ESPN.com thinks Seattle will have the upper hand, 27-21, "Watson has looked like the real deal, but he faces a tough challenge on the road against a Seahawks defense playing as well as it has in recent memory. The Seahawks have allowed only 33 points during their three-game winning streak, elevating them back into their familiar place as the NFL's top scoring defense. And this game is at CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks are 4-0 against rookie quarterbacks since 2011 while allowing only 179 passing yards per game, according to ESPN Stats & Information."Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com predicts a 26-13 Seahawks victory, "This will be a major challenge for rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Texans. He's been really good, but playing the Seahawks on the road is a challenge even for veteran passers. The Seahawks seem to be getting it right. They handle Watson and the Texans." David Steele at Sporting News sees a three-point Seattle win, 23-20, "This will be another test for rookie Deshaun Watson, whose signature road performance was at New England in Week 3. Chicken-or-egg situation: Watson hasn't faced a defense as formidable as the Seahawks, who are ranked first in the NFL this week, but the Seahawks have built that record against some wretched offenses, like the Giants last week." Chris Simms at BleacherReport.com sides with the Texans this week, 19-16, "What a fun matchup the Houston Texans-Seattle Seahawks game is going to be. We're going to get the Deshaun Watson-led Texans offense against a Seahawks defense that is still a top-level unit. These are two physical teams who aren't afraid to slug it out." Mike Florio and Michael David Smith at ProFootballTalk.com each predict a Seattle victory this Sunday. Jim Moore at 710Sports.com outlines why he believes the Seahawks will win 27-10. Seven of eight experts at CBSSports.com pick Seattle to win, all five writers at USA Today side with the Seahawks, five of eight experts at SBNation.com pick Seattle, and nine of 10 analysts at ESPN.com select the Seahawks over Houston.

Week 8: Seahawks vs Texans Picks & Predictions

Check out which side the national media is predicting to win Sunday's matchup between the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.