The Seattle Seahawks have learned how to win on the road. Now, they need to remember how to do it at home. As they prepare to host the Houston Texans (2-3) on Monday Night Football, the Seahawks (4-2) are unbeaten away from Seattle but struggling to make Lumen Field the intimidating venue it once was.
The team is 3-0 on the road this season, yet just 1-2 at home — and that trend extends beyond 2025. Last season’s 3-6 mark at Lumen was Seattle’s worst home record since 2008, eroding what was once one of the league’s most feared home-field advantages.
“We’ve been great on the road, but we know that doesn’t mean much if we don’t take care of business at home,” head coach Mike Macdonald said after Seattle’s 38-35 loss to Tampa Bay two weeks ago. “This place used to tilt games in our favor — and we need to bring that edge back.”
Seattle enters Monday’s game off a convincing 20-12 win at Jacksonville, its ninth straight road victory — a new franchise record. Quarterback Sam Darnold was sharp again, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout performance with eight receptions for 162 yards, including a 61-yard TD in the second quarter.
Defensively, the Seahawks were dominant in crunch time, holding Jacksonville to just 273 total yards and forcing three straight fourth-quarter punts. Seattle also piled up seven sacks, including key pressures from Boye Mafe and Leonard Williams.
“The biggest thing was closing,” Macdonald said. “We’ve had games slip away late before. To finish it off the way we did shows growth.”
The Houston Texans come to Seattle refreshed after a bye week — and riding the momentum of a stunning 44-10 win over Baltimore before the break. Quarterback C.J. Stroud earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 244 yards and four touchdowns, his best performance of the season.
After starting the year 0-3, head coach DeMeco Ryans has guided the young Texans to back-to-back victories, and they’ve started to find an identity built around opportunistic defense and balanced offense.
Safety Jalen Pitre has been a tone-setter, leading Houston with three interceptions — including two against the Ravens — and earning praise from Ryans for his versatility. “Jalen’s everywhere,” Ryans said. “He’s one of those players who can change the momentum of a game on any snap.”
Houston’s running game has been retooled with Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks, stepping in while star Joe Mixon recovers from a foot injury. Chubb leads the Texans with 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Marks — a fourth-round pick out of USC — has shown flashes as both a runner and receiver, adding 137 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards, and two total TDs.
“Woody’s been impressive,” Stroud said. “He runs hard, he blocks, he catches — he’s got that all-around ability you want in this offense.”
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.: Smith-Njigba has emerged as Darnold’s top target, while Stingley is regaining form as a shutdown corner. Texans O-line vs. Seahawks pass rush: Seattle’s front seven has been dominant lately, and keeping Stroud upright will be crucial for Houston. Sam Darnold vs. Texans safeties: Pitre and veteran Jimmie Ward disguise coverages well — something Darnold will have to decipher under the bright lights.
For Seattle, Monday night is about reclaiming their home-field dominance and proving their NFC playoff credentials are more than just a road warrior story. For Houston, it’s an opportunity to show their turnaround is real — and that they can win in one of the league’s toughest environments.
Kickoff from Lumen Field is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. The crowd will be loud, the stakes high, and both teams will be looking to make a statement on the Monday night stage.
Prediction: Seahawks 27, Texans 23 — Seattle finally finds some of that old Lumen Field magic when it matters most.
