Things to Watch is adapted from a conversation between Voice of the Texans Marc Vandermeer and Sideline Analyst John Harris.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH: TEXANS VS. 49ERS
As the Houston Texans prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, here are three critical factors that could determine the outcome at NRG Stadium.
1. STOPPING CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY
The 49ers' star running back presents a dual threat that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night.
"Christian McCaffrey. And I know you agree with me. And if the question is, well, you're more worried about his running or is receiving the answer is yes, because he does it all so well," Marc Vandermeer said.
The numbers tell the story of McCaffrey's versatility.
"His 53 receptions on the year. So let me do the math for you. That's a little over seven per game. Seven as a running back. Now, a little over seven per game puts him at, if he played all 17 games, at about 120 receptions. That's crazy. As a running back," Vandermeer explained.
Johnny Harris remembers what McCaffrey did to the Texans in 2019.
"I remember in 2019 when we played them, not six years ago, but it holds true. He came in here with Carolina. Carolina doesn't have a dude at all other than him. He had 37 touches against us, made a tremendous diving catch that kept the drive alive. He was fantastic," Harris said. "I tell people all the time when they ask me about great players we've seen and all that over the years, it was like, Christian McCaffrey's performance in 2019 was an incredible performance."
The challenge starts with simply locating him on the field.
"As a runner or receiver, yes, both. He is so skilled in this run game, in this run scheme. He is so skilled as a wide receiver. They find so many different ways to get him the football," Harris said. "You got to find him first. Yeah. Backfield slot out wide. You got to find him first."
The defensive approach must be physical.
"And then I say this with the utmost respect. Every time he touches the ball, you have to hit him and make him feel this defense. Defense has to make him feel it every time he touches it," Harris explained. "He ain't going to shy away from it. Right. But just to make him feel every touch that maybe by 32nd touch or 33rd touch, it eventually pays off and he doesn't pick up the first down when maybe he would have, he's a little fresher."
2. RUN THE BALL WELL
Houston's rushing attack needs to find its rhythm against a San Francisco defense that's vulnerable on the ground.
"This defense statistically, middle of the pack and a lot of things not great against the run, not terrible at all. But can you run the football the way you need to to matriculate down the field and score more than you have?" Vandermeer said.
3. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE
The statistics favor the Texans in this category, but they need to capitalize.
"Turnovers. The Texans are fifth in the league in takeaways. The 49ers are fifth from last in giveaways. They give the ball away," Vandermeer said. "That's why the numbers don't really make sense when you look at their record. They've turned the ball over. You've got to get them to cough up the rocket in NRG Stadium."
DeMeco Ryans has emphasized this all season.
"It can happen, but it doesn't happen often. But you got to attack the ball. DeMeco talked about that all the time. Both sides of the ball. Attack the ball. Go get it, knock it out, pluck it on throws down a field," Vandermeer said.
"They take care of the ball. Mac has been taking a better care of the ball than Brock Purdy was," Harris noted.
The magic number could be two.
"So I think attacking the ball, if you can get it twice, can you get it twice? If you can get it twice, two extra possessions for your offense. I think it'll be a better output than in Seattle where you had four times you, well, three times you gave it back to your offense. One time you put seven up on the board," Harris said.
Kickoff is set for noon Sunday at NRG Stadium.
