Ed Reed says Seahawks-Texans game is ‘potential Super Bowl matchup’

Sep 22, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans safety Ed Reed (20) warms up before the game against Baltimore Ravens team at M

Houston Texans safety Ed Reed knows a thing or two about Super Bowls — he won one last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, the nine-time Pro Bowler believes that Sunday’s game between the Seahawks and Texans will be played a second time on Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in Super Bowl XLVIII.

“This is a potential Super Bowl matchup,” Reed told ESPN.com on Thursday.

The Seahawks are 3-0 and coming off a 45-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans (2-1) are coming off an embarrassing 30-9 loss to the Ravens.

How do the teams compare? For one thing, they both have outstanding secondaries. The Seahawks lead the league by allowing just 146.7 passing yards per game. Houston is a close No. 2, allowing 157.7 yards per game.

Both teams have so-so rush defense — the Texans are ninth in fewest rush yards allowed (91.3) while the Seahawks are 12th (95.0).

Offensively, the Seahawks average 132.7 rushing yards per game, good for eighth in the NFL. Right behind them are the Texans, with 128.7, ninth in the NFL.

Led by Matt Schaub, the Texans throw for 259.7 yards per game (ninth) while Russell Wilson and the Seahawks throw for 247.0 (16th).

On Thursday, the NFL Live crew unanimously picked the Seahawks to win the game.

The crew, which consists of former NFL players Mark Schlereth, Jeff Saturday and Jerome Bettis, all pointed to the Seahawks defense as the key to the game and the reason Seattle should win the game.

Saturday also mentioned that Lynch could be a big factor. If the Seahawks establish the run game, it could spell trouble for Houston.

After the teams play each other, the Seahawks will head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (2-1) while the Texans will visit the San Francisco 49ers (2-2) on Sunday Night Football.