Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
TV Schedule: Sunday, Oct. 6, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Stadium: Candlestick Park
Weather: Low 54, High 71
Line: San Francisco (-7)
The Houston Texans are coming off a very tough loss at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks in week four. The Texans, 2-2, are considered a team that can make a serious run at the Super Bowl and there’s no way they should be sitting at .500 right now. Matt Schaub is receiving a lot of blame for the team’s poor start, as he should, but there are more players to be held accountable. He has passed for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns this season, but the most telling number is the one interception that cost the Texans the game against Seattle. Andre Johnson has been the top option at wide out, catching 34 passes for 368 yards, but no touchdowns. Arian Foster finally had a breakout game in week four and has 292 yards and one rushing touchdown this season.
On the other side of the field, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to improve after a rough 2-2 start to begin the season. Like the Texans, people look at the 49ers and instantly think of Super Bowl contenders. Colin Kaepernick received much criticism for his team’s lack of firepower in the first three games of the season — or I should say the week two and three games. However, he bounced back in week four, but his numbers didn’t just out at anyone. He passed for 167 yards and two touchdowns, but he protected the ball and gave his team the best chance to win. Running back Frank Gore also had a breakout game, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Texans are the best team in football when it comes to total yards allowed as well as passing yards allowed per game. The Texans will attempt to slow down the young quarterback, but the run defense might struggle a bit as it ranks 23rd in the league. San Francisco has the fourth-best overall defense when it comes to yards allowed and third in passing yards allowed. Both teams may have to stick to the run game in this one.
PREDICTION: Texans 23, 49ers 30
Related: Houston Texans: Matt Schaub Deserves Little Blame for Week 4 Loss
Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers: Battle By The Bay
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
