Seattle @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 13, 2009 ) Seattle 7, Houston 34

The Seattle Seahawks have never started a season with four straight victories and the host Houston Texans are striving to make sure that remains the case in Sunday’s showdown. Seattle is riding a top-notch defense that leads the NFL in scoring defense (9.0) and total defense (241.7 yards) and also has forced 10 turnovers. Houston ranks second in total defense (249.0) but isn’t anywhere near as stingy in preventing points, allowing 27.3 per contest.

The Texans are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South while the Seahawks have a two-game lead in the NFC West. Houston star receiver Andre Johnson (25 receptions) is a game-time decision after suffering a bruised shin in last week’s 30-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is mightily concerned with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, who has three sacks this season after racking up 20.5 in 2012. “He’s a fantastic player,” Carroll said of the Houston star during a press conference. “He just causes so many problems. He plays with incredible effort and intensity so we really have to pay attention.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -2.5. O/U: 41.5.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (3-0): Quarterback Russell Wilson tied his career high with four touchdown passes in a romp over Jacksonville and has six overall while completing 64.4 percent of his passes. Receiver Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller each caught two TD passes against the Jaguars while wideout Golden Tate leads the way with a modest 10 receptions. The defense has forced five fumbles and accumulated five interceptions - two by safety Kam Chancellor - while cornerback Richard Sherman (one interception) continues to shut down receivers on his side of the field. Defensive end Michael Bennett has 2.5 of Seattle’s seven sacks.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (2-1): Houston’s 21-point loss to Baltimore included a franchise-record 14 penalties, zero offensive touchdowns scored and allowing the Ravens to record one defensive and one punt-return touchdown. Quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown for 838 yards and six touchdowns but running back Arian Foster (190 yards, one score) has yet to hit his stride. If Johnson can’t play, impressive first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins will receive a larger role with a chance to increase his rookie-best numbers of 18 receptions and 243 yards. While Watt has again been sensational, inside linebacker Brian Cushing (team-best 24 tackles, one interception) is playing well after having his 2012 campaign cut short by a knee injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams have split two previous meetings with Houston winning the most recent one – 34-7 in 2009 when Schaub passed for 365 yards and Johnson had 11 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

2. Seahawks DE Red Bryant (back spasms) is expected to be available.

3. The Texans are 17-6 when Foster rushes for 100 or more yards.

PREDICTION: Texans 26, Seahawks 24