Houston sports media and the fan base at large have been chomping at the bit for the last two weeks as the return of the Texans is now imminent. Tomorrow, they return to play against the Seattle Seahawks on the road at Lumen Field for a chance to reach .500 for the first time this season. This will be the second Monday Night Football game of the season for Houston.

While they were off this past Sunday, they did receive some help for their AFC playoff chances in the form of a Los Angeles Rams beatdown of the Jacksonville Jaguars in London to the tune of 35-7.

This brought the Jaguars and Texans to a tie in the loss column. However, Houston still ranks behind the Jags currently due to losing to Jacksonville 17-10 in week three. 

Unfortunately, that was all the assistance they would get, as every other AFC playoff hopeful managed to walk away with wins on the day. (Patriots, Chiefs, Colts and Broncos)

Even still, the Texans understand that it's on them to control what they can control and handle their business by getting a victory in their win on Monday night. That's why it's so important for head coach Demeco Ryans, quarterback CJ Stroud and the league's #1 scoring defense to all be in sync heading into a de facto "must win" scenario against the Seahawks.

In response, Seattle boasts head coach Mike Macdonald, resurgent quarterback Sam Darnold, prolific receiving threat Jaxon Smith-Njigba and top-3 run stopping defensive line play. 

Texans Roundtable has spoken at length about all the key factors and matchups that will dictate the game's outcomes. With the game less than 24 hours away, it's finally time to make some predictions:

Best Case Scenario

The Texans come out firing against a banged-up Seattle secondary that ranks 24th in the NFL with 235.5 passing yards given up per game. Rookie receiver Jayden Higgins has his best game of his career, as he hauls in two touchdown catches to cap off his first 100+ yard receiving game of the season. 

Running back Woody Marks also contributes out of the backfield, torching Seattle's defensive line and linebacking core on the edges to keep Houston ahead of the chains all night. Nick Chubb chips in with a score of his own with a 10+ yard red zone rushing score.

The Texans' defense stymies the Seahawks' offense, as Houston's secondary walks away with two INTs and a recovered fumble after stripping Sam Darnold while in the pocket. 

Finally, Stroud finishes a Houston victory with 254 yards, two touchdown passes, 23 yards rushing and zero INTs. 

In this scenario, Texans win 27-12.

Worst Case Scenario

Seattle's stellar defensive line causes havoc early and often for Stroud and Co. The offensive line of the Texans gives up six sacks for the first time this season, and Stroud is flustered for the majority of the contest. 

With such poor offensive line help, the Texans' offense became stagnant, and they couldn't even muster more than seven points before halftime. If it's not a sack, then it's a TFL of Marks or Chubb or general quarterback pressure all night.  

In response, Darnold and Njigba manage to solve All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley and the Texans' secondary by way of multiple 10+ yard receptions that result in multiple passing touchdowns. 

In this terrible scenario, the Seahawks roll the Texans by a final score of 24-10. 

Most Realistic Scenario

Realistically, both the Texans and Seahawks have defensive advantages that give each other fits. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. will most certainly cause havoc for the Seahawks up front, but Seattle defenders Byron Murphy, Leonard Williams and Demarcus Lawrence will likely respond in kind. There might be at least eight sacks combined between the teams at the end of it. 

With the defensive lines trading blows all night, it might come down to which secondary takes the most advantage of rushed throws or inaccurate reads. The edge should go to Houston, as All-Pro Derek Stingley is back healthy again alongside a fiesty Kamari Lassiter and ball-hawking Jalen Pitre. 

In the rushing department, Seattle might get the nod due to their stout rush defense that gives up only 79.0 per game (ranked 3rd). With that, they may rush for more yards than Houston, but not by much. 

Through the air, the Texans should have the advantage. The Seahawks give up 235.5 yards per game as a passing defense, so Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel should have effective games (especially with receiver Christian Kirk being OUT). 

Darnold and Njigba don't go down quietly, as they team up for two passing touchdowns on the night.

In the end, the Texans will a close ball game, 24-21. 

What do you think? Which scenario do you think will happen? Do you have another version that you feel confident about? Let us know down below.