Houston Texans Strategy and Personnel

This game should be close and interesting because the Texans and Seahawks are playing sound defense.

The Texans have a four-game losing streak, and the defense deserves a better fate. The improved play of the defense is one reason the Seahawks have won back-to-back games to elevate their record to 5-7, the same as the Texans.

The defenses are similar, but the Seahawks have a better pass rush.

The Texans' three leading tacklers are linebackers Brian Cushing (102) and DeMeco Ryans (86) and safety Bernard Pollard (71). For the Seahawks, safety Jordan Babineaux (87) and linebackers David Hawthorne (82) and Aaron Curry (55) are the leading tacklers.

The Texans have one good pass rusher, end Mario Williams, but he's been limited by a shoulder injury and has only six sacks. That's one more than Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney (five), but he's backed up by end Lawrence Jackson and Hawthorne, who have four each.

The pass rush will be key for Seattle. If the Seahawks can put pressure on Matt Schaub and force him to throw interceptions or even to disrupt his timing with his receivers, they'll have a huge advantage.



PLAYER NOTES

--DE Mario Williams leads the Texans with six sacks and 17 quarterback hurries. He's been bothered by a groin injury this week but expects to be 100 percent by the time the Texans play Seattle.

--OLB Brian Cushing leads the team with 102 tackles, including 64 unassisted. He has eight tackles for loss, tying him with MLB DeMeco Ryans and DE Mario Williams for the team lead.

--DE Pannel Egboh, 6-6, 276, was signed to the practice squad. He's a rookie from Stanford. He's replacing RB Chris Henry, who was promoted to the regular roster. Henry took the roster spot of RB Steve Slaton, who was placed on injured reserve.

--CB Glover Quin, who missed the Jacksonville game because of a concussion, has returned to the lineup. The defense missed the rookie's physical presence. He's a hard hitter who's underrated on pass coverage. He has 34 unassisted tackles, second among defensive backs.

--LB Kevin Bentley, who captains the special teams, leads the special teams with 14 tackles. The Texans have solid cover teams, especially punt coverage, and Bentley is a big reason. He also can play any linebacker position.

GAME PLAN: Neither team can run the ball productively or consistently, so it should come down to which quarterback plays the best -- Matt Schaub or Matt Hasselbeck.

Schaub is playing with a harness on the left shoulder that was dislocated and popped back into place. It's caused him to make some adjustments in his throwing motion, but if his return from the injury in Jacksonville in any indication, he's a pro who can do it. He's used to not having a running game he can count on, so he has to be careful not to throw interceptions or fumble, especially if it's going to shorten the field for the Seahawks.

Hasselbeck doesn't have a receiver with Andre Johnson's talent, but he spreads the ball around, and he's careful not to throw into coverage. He doesn't wilt under pressure. With Julius Jones healthy and Justin Forsett trying to get healthy, at least Hasselbeck has backs who have been productive. Running back has become one of the weakest positions on the Texans' roster.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant. Every team uses double coverage against Johnson. Some play man underneath with a two-deep zone. Some play the corner underneath and the safety over the top. No matter where Johnson lines up -- wide to either side, in the slot or going in motion -- defenses tilt the coverage to his side. And no wonder. He has 70 catches for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns. He averages 14.9 yards a catch. He fights for the ball, has strong hands and will get a lot of yards after the catch. Like Johnson, Trufant is a former first-round pick. The seven-year veteran knows all the tricks of the trade. At 5-11, 197, he needs technique and tricks to cover Johnson, 6-3, 225. Trufant can turn and run with the receiver. He's got make-up speed. He'll fight for the ball. He's used to covering Larry Fitzgerald two times a year, so he shouldn't be awed by Johnson.

Texans RT Eric Winston vs. Seahawks LDE Patrick Kerney. Winston, who plays the right side, is 6-7, 320. He doesn't face many pass rushers like Kerney, who leads the Seahawks with five sacks and 12 hurries. Kerney, 6-5, 272, is an 11-year veteran who can still get the quarterback. He's used every move in the book. Where he'll have problems with Winston is if he gets into the tackle and can't get leverage. Winston will get the job on Kerney and bury him. If Kerney gets the jump, he can get under the pads and uses his moves to get open. Both players are relentless.

INJURY IMPACT: RB Steve Slaton (neck) was placed on injured reserve. OT Duane Brown (knee), DE Tim Bulman (hamstring), OLB Brian Cushing (foot), DE Mario Williams (groin) and DT Jeff Zgonina (rest) didn't practice Wednesday but will play Sunday. CB Glover Quin (concussion) and QB Matt Schaub (shoulder) both practiced and will play Sunday.