At 5-7, both still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs, but realistically they’re playing for next season.
The Texans were 5-3 at one point this season and looking at the possibility of reaching the playoffs for the first time since the franchise’s inception in 2002. But four straight losses by an average of 4.75 points dropped Houston to the AFC South cellar. That result has coach Gary Kubiak now regularly answering questions from reporters this week about the possibility of losing his job.
“We’re frustrated,” Kubiak said of the close losses. “Obviously, when you’re working so hard in this league and you get yourself in those positions and you come up short a play or two or whatever, yeah, it’s frustrating.
“Discouraged? No. These guys will work. It’s a very young team. Our work habits are very good, how we go about our business. I feel good about how they do things. But you need success.”
The Seahawks have won two straight but face similar questions. Team president and general manager Tim Ruskell stepped down last week, and the franchise now is looking for new leadership to direct the football side of its operations.
No matter what Seattle and Houston are dealing with off the field, on the field players like T.J. Houshmandzadeh are focusing on this week’s opponent.
“Every game you play, when it’s this point of the season, you play for pride and a respect for the guys you’re going against,” Houshmandzadeh said.
That said, the Seahawks will be facing one of the best offenses in the NFL in Houston.
Led by talented receiver Andre Johnson and up-and-coming quarterback Matt Schaub, the Texans are 13th in the league in scoring at 23 points a contest. Schaub has thrown for 3,449 yards, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and has a passer rating of 97.2 for the season.
Mora is familiar with Schaub, having drafted him out of Virgina when he was the head coach in Atlanta in 2004.
“He’s very talented,” Mora said “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s physical, he’s extremely smart. We have a lot of respect for him. I personally have a lot of respect for him, having known him since he came into the league and he’s a tall order for us”
Houston did lose cat-quick running back Steve Slaton for the season with a back issue this week, and talented tight end Owen Daniels also is on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Daniels hasn’t played since tearing up his right knee in the first quarter of Houston’s 31-10 win over the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 1, and the Texans haven’t won since.
But the Texans still have enough weapons on offense to cause problems for Seattle’s defense.
Mora said Houston’s success begins with Johnson, who has been targeted a league-high 130 times this season.
“He’s got rare size and speed,” Mora said about Johnson. “You’ve got to roll up on him some and put a safety over the top.
“Sometimes when you’re in single coverage you’ve got to cover him, stay close and make a play on the ball.”
The Seahawks understand they will have their hands full against a talented and underrated Houston team, but they still are looking at this game against the Texans as a stepping stone to continued improvement this season that hopefully will serve as a catalyst for next year.
“Teams that finish strong, they normally win the next season,” Houshmandzadeh said. “In Cincinnati, we were 4-11-1 or something like that last year. ... And we won the last three games, and look at them now.”
Eric D. Williams: 253: 597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE (5-7) at HOUSTON (5-7)
Kickoff: 10 a.m., Reliant Stadium.
TV: Ch. 13 Radio: 710-AM, 97.3-FM, 1030-AM, 1240-AM
The series: This is only the second meeting between the two teams. Seattle won the previous contest at Qwest Field in 2005, 42-10. It’s the first time the Seahawks have played in Houston since December of 1994, when the Oilers played here. The Seahawks won, 16-14.
What to watch: The Seahawks should have a healthy team on the field again this week, with only linebacker D.D. Lewis (knee) a game-time decision. ... Seattle will have to figure out a way to slow down talented Houston receiver Andre Johnson, who has 70 receptions for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns for the year. One way to do that for the Seahawks will be to put pressure on Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who suffered an injury to his left, nonthrowing shoulder in a 23-18 loss to Jacksonville last week but is expected to play today. The Seahawks will face former teammate Brian Russell for the second time this season. The Texans picked up the safety after he was cut by Jacksonville earlier this year.
TNT pick: Texans, 28-24.
Prime numbers
SEATTLE
No. Name (position) Ht./Wt./Year
20 Justin Forsett (RB) 5-8/194/second
He’s the key to Seattle consistently moving the ball on offense
75 Sean Locklear (OT) 6-4/308/sixth
Has to keep rangy DE Mario Williams off Hasselbeck
55 Darryl Tapp (DE) 6-1/270/fourth
Needs to help provide consistent pressure up front
21 Kelly Jennings (CB) 5-11/180/fourth
Will be on the field a lot to help stop Houston’s passing game
HOUSTON
No. Name (position) Ht./Wt./Year
80 Andre Johnson (WR) 6-3/225/seventh
Versatile athlete creates matchup problems
22 Chris Brown (RB) 6-3/235/seventh
Will be counted on to carry the load for the run game
90 Mario Williams (DE) 6-6/295/fourth
A one-man wrecking crew defensively
34 Dominique Barber (SS) 6-0/215/second
Green defensive back expected to get fourth start of the season
Eric D. Williams, The News Tribune
