It was mandatory to start the three-game homestand with any kind of victory. What happened was a convincing two-score win against a good team, that showed what the Texans are truly capable of.
San Francisco came in with injury issues. But the 49ers without injury problems would be like the Bay Area without the Golden Gate Bridge. They're used to operating like this – this season, to the tune of a 5-2 record coming in.
Mac Jones has played well in relief of the injured Brock Purdy, who was missing his 6th start. Early on the Texans were harassing him and legendary running back Christian McFaffrey, holding the 49ers to zero fist downs until the final minute of the first half.
Meanwhile, it wasn't like the Texans offense was lighting up the scoreboard. But they peppered it with three field goals and a touchdown on their first four possessions, building a 16-0 lead.
San Fran's late first-half TD drive made it a nine-point margin at the break. First half highlights included a nine-and-a-half minute field goal drive, another field goal march featuring a Woody Marks 50-yard catch-and-run and a TD drive including a Jaylin Noel 44-yard catch and Jayden Higgins' second touchdown reception of the season.
C.J. Stroud was hot. A late first half pick was the only blemish in his first 300+ yard game in the last 21 outings. Stroud once again showed that if you give him time, he will find a way to win. He wasn't sacked and threw two TDs, as well as rushing for 30 yards.
Nick Chubb and Woody Marks combined for 118 yards. Marks earning 111 all-purpose yards.
The defense allowed two TDs but stood up for most of the afternoon against an opportunistic attack. Holding San Franciso to 223 total yards is a headline grabber.
The big moments in this one came after the 49ers closed the gap to a one-score game in the third quarter. They put together a 76-yard touchdown drive and capped it with a two-point conversion.
The offense needed to respond and did, grinding out a nearly six-minute field goal drive to rebuild a two-score lead. Then, with the 9ers driving and trying to score outside of the two-minute warning, Kamari Lassiter nabbed his second interception of the year, all but totally putting away San Francisco.
No one knows where it's all going from here. But this is clearly much more in line with the way DeMeco Ryans and the Texans expect to perform every week. Denver is up next and it'll be another tall order to knock them off.
Can't wait.
