Texans vs. Seahawks: Getting to know Seattle

Sep 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael (33) rushes against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans offense needs to wake up this week, play with more energy and make less mistakes this week as they are set to host the Seattle Seahawks this week in their fourth game of the regular season.

Seattle is coming into the week with a 3-0 overall record (Houston is 2-1), coming off a week three, 45-17 win over the winless Jacksonville Jaguars. Seattle’s other two wins in ’13 have come against the Carolina Panthers by a 12-7 score and the San Francisco 49ers, 29-3.

The Seahawks are No. 1 in total defense allowing a league-low 241.7 yards per game, and No. 1 in passing defense as they’ve also allowed a league-low 146.7 yards per game, as they’ve faced quarterbacks Cam Newton (Panthers), Colin Kaepernick (49ers) and Chad Henne (Jaguars).

Here are some other stats of interest for the Seahawks:
– They’ve outscored their opponents, 86-27 this season.

– They have 65 first downs in ’13, a game average of 21.6 first downs per game.

– Seattle has 1,139 offensive yards this season for an average of 379.7 yards per game which is eighth best in the NFL.

– The Seahawks have 398 rushing yards.

One player to watch for the Seattle offense is quarterback Russell Wilson. The second-year player is 47-for-73 with 664 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He’s also the Seahawks’ second leading rusher with 17 attempts for 54 yards.

Wilson had just two interceptions and has 9.1 yards per completion thus far. He’s been sacked eight times in three games, with a QB rating of 109.6.

The leading rusher for the Seahawks is Marshawn Lynch with 210 yards on 62 carries. He has a 3.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns. He has two rushing touchdowns this season.

Golden Tate leads the Seahawks with 10 receptions (158 yards), but Doug Baldwin has the most receiving yards with 177 (nine receptions).

Bobby Wagner leads the ‘Hawks with 24 tackles (nine solo) and Earl Thomas has 20 tackles, but 16 are solo. Michael Bennett has 2.5 sacks for the Seattle lead this season.

Seattle has eight overall sacks in ’13, along with five interceptions. Kam Chancellor leads the Seahawks with two interceptions this season.

The Seahawks have had possession of the ball for 33:10, while their opponents have had the ball for 26:49 with a turnover ratio of plus six.

Visit the Toro Times everyday through game day for a variety of previews for the week four game against the Seahawks.