The Texans are left with more questions than answers after a 27-19 defeat at the hands of Seattle receiving savant Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle defensive line. 

The questions are are not about necessarily centered on how one loses to a quality 5-2 team. Rather, they will be squarely about why the Texans are still one of the most penalized teams on a game to game basis, why can't offensive Coordinator Nick Caley seem to generate a consistently effective offensive game plan and how is it that the Texans defense secured four turnovers (!) and yet the team still virtually loses by 15 points? 

In an earlier piece by the Roundtable, there were three scenarios written up that acted as predictions for how the Texans could fare on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks. In scenario two, the worst case scenario, the prediction was, 

"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."

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The Texans managed only six points by halftime, gave up three sacks and had 10 penalties for 105 yards on the night. Seattle's defense came as advertised and then some. 

Even still, with all of those things going so poorly for Houston, the worst aspect of their play was yet again found with offensive coordinator Nick Caley and the offensive side of the ball. Again, credit to Seattle's defensive game plan that created havoc in the trenches all night. 

Offensive Questions Abound

However, what should not be missed was an offense that yet again seemed disorganized, ineffective, unimaginative and painfully underserved from a schematic standpoint. 

Caley's unit went 2/15 on 3rd down and 1/4 on fourth down. Also, they were yet again halted at the 1 yard line by an opposing team due to an overly complicated offensive attack that left them empty when they really needed a spark.

In that sequence, with roughly 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter and a 12-27 deficit, they went pass, pass, timeout, false start, timeout, pass and turnover on downs. Again, from the 1 yard line. 

Running backs Nick Chubb and Woody Marks combined for 15 carries, 31 yards (3.2 ypc and 1.5 ypc respectively) and zero rushing scores.

None of this is a great recipe for success in the NFL, and it has led to Houston dropping to 2-4 on the season while their division opponent in the Colts (6-1) look like they'll be wrapping up the division race by Thanksgiving. 

This is their fourth time in six games scoring less than 20 points, and the 27 points scored by Seattle are the most this season against the Texans #1 scoring unit

(Note: That 27 is also the most scored against Houston since the 31-2 Christmas day thrashing by the Ravens last year)

Quick Turnaround

Head coach Demeco Ryans and quarterback CJ Stroud have some self-reflecting that they have to do prior to Sunday, because the 49ers are coming to town and there's no time to overly contemplate much of anything else besides getting back on track and starting their four-game home stand with a victory. 

This one definitely will leave a mark, one that could severely impact offseason decisions for many in that locker room and maybe even the front office.