Houston Texans vs. Seattle Seahawks: Big fight breaks out on Monday Night Football as Derek Stingley Jr. knocks helmet off Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Tempers flared between the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks Monday night in Week 7 when cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. knocked wide receiver Jaxon Smith‑Njigba’s helmet off after returning an interception, leading to a full‑blown bench scuffle.

The officials flagged Stingley for unnecessary roughness, moving the Texans’ offense back 15 yards right after the big play. With both clubs fighting for playoff positioning, every drive mattered — and so did control. The Seahawks boast a league‑leading 6.3 yards per play this season while the Texans, fresh off a bye week, aim to build on two straight wins heading into Week 7.

What really happened on the field and why emotions boiled over

In the fourth quarter, Stingley intercepted a pass and was running out of bounds when he stiff‑armed Smith‑Njigba, sending the receiver’s helmet flying.

The confrontation followed onto the sideline, where players from both teams engaged in shoving and shouting. The referees tossed a flag on Stingley for unnecessary roughness, but no one was ejected. For that one play — and the 15‑yard penalty — the pace of the game shifted.

The Texans’ offense, which had just secured the turnover, took the penalty instead of converting the momentum. Check out the videos that are now going viral on social media.

Big stakes for both teams on Monday night

The Houston Texans (2‑3) are facing the Seattle Seahawks (4‑2) tonight at Lumen Field in a pivotal Week 7 clash. The Seahawks are favored at home despite a 1‑2 record there this season, while the Texans are coming off a bye week and hoping to build on back‑to‑back wins. Notably, the Texans will be without wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring), and Seattle’s passing offense, led by Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, ranks among the league’s most explosive.Also read: Who is Buccaneers' QB Baker Mayfield married to? Meet his wife, the Instagram star winning fans with her unfiltered look at NFL life

What this moment says about discipline and intensity in the NFL

This fight shows how intense Monday Night Football games have become, especially when playoff spots are at stake. A player can go from hero to getting penalties in seconds, and that can change the game. For both the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks, this scuffle isn’t just a small side moment — it’s part of their season’s story. Even with the fight, the Texans feel confident after their bye week and a strong 26-10 win two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks are still trying to find their first real home win in 2025.