Week 7: San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans

(Image created by Samuel Lam)

The 49ers are now in that five-game stretch that will determine their place among the NFL elite. Obviously the 49ers aren't top of the food chain in the NFC West, but this game will be the team's first attempt to get back on track after their 45-10 loss to the Falcons right before their bye week.

The Houston Texans aren't a pushover team. Granted they have had some injuries with their star defensive players (DE Mario Williams and LB Brian Cushing notably), they still are a very solid team in the AFC. They employ a tough defense and an explosive offense. Their biggest stars are QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson. Both these two have put together a lot of big plays last year and plenty more this year. The 49ers secondary is a little banged up with both safeties Michael Lewis and Reggie Smith out for this game. Add onto the struggles of CB Nate Clements, it might be a huge showing for the Texans offense.

The 49ers offense has made a few changes. T Adam Snyder will now be splitting time with G Chilo Rachal while Tony Pashos takes over at right guard. The bigger news is the NFL debut of rooki Michael Crabtree. Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said that he might be on the field for possibly half of the team's offensive plays. In front of his family and friends, this will be a huge day for Crabtree. If he does get into the act early and help the team put up points, the 10-week holdout can be forgotten.

Also getting onto the field is RB Frank Gore. After missing two games with an ankle injury, Gore returns to the lineup in hopes of sparking up this struggling 49ers offense. The running game has been nonexistant all year (except for that one game against Seattle). The passing game has also suffered a lot due to the team's inability to convert on third downs.

A lot has to go right for the 49ers to stand a chance against the Texans. Houston can make mistakes as well, and it might end up to be a game of push and pull and which team breaks first.

There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Texans:

Get Crabtree involved early
With all the buzz and hype surrounding the rookie, getting him the ball early will get the youngster's jitters out of the way. The rookie will make his NFL debut in a starting role and if he gets the ball early, that might help set the tone for the 49ers passing attack. Even though the Texans have looked at Crabtree's college film, this will be the first time anybody has seen Crabtree on the field. Use that to the 49ers advantage and there could be good things to come.
No big plays
The 49ers gave up numerous big plays to the Falcons. The Texans offense, especially that of Andre Johnson, could open up the field. With great hands like Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels, the passing game will be the Texans' best attack weapon. The 49ers secondary must act accordingly and prevent the big gains. Keeping the Texans offense off the field is the best way for the 49ers to stand any chance against Houston.
Can we get a first down?
I mentioned this already, but the third down coversion rate for the 49ers has been horrible. If the 49ers want to make any impact on offense, they have to get these important third downs converted. In order to make these third down plays, they have to get good yardage on their first two plays. Expect the team to use RB Frank Gore to get the team motor running. The last thing the 49ers want to do is to force a throw because of their inability to run. Receivers like Vernon Davis and Isaac Bruce are key to the 49ers offense, but trying to more than 5 yards on a third down .

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Today's injury report:

49ers
OUT
S Reggie Smith (groin), S Michael Lewis (concussion), QB Nate Davis (illness)

PROBABLE
CB Tarell Brown (illness), RB Frank Gore (ankle, foot), CB Marcus Hudson (shoulder), DE Ray McDonald (ankle)

TEXANS
OUT
S Nick Ferguson (knee)

DOUBTFUL
LB Jamie Winborn (calf)

QUESTIONABLE
LB Brian Cushing (foot), DE Mario Williams (shoulder)

PROBABLE
K Kris Brown (right ankle), S Bernard Pollard (illness), LB DeMeco Ryans (chest)

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The five-game stretch that will test the 49ers begins with this game in Houston. The debut of Michael Crabtree in front of his family and friends will surely be a sight to witness.

Follow me on my Twitter for updates throughout today's game and check back here as I plan to update this page throughout the game live.

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1st Quarter

- The Texans get the ball first and start 31. 49ers defense stays strong and force a three and out on Houston. After punt, 49ers start on own 20.

- A play designed for Crabtree goes for nothing as Mario Williams goes untouched for a sack. A three and out for SF.

-The Texans get a first down, but pressure to Schaub forces the Texans to punt. 49ers start at their own 15 yard line. Good 49ers defense.

- 49ers go three and out. The defense is looking good but the offense has not gained much at all. Only 9 yards on offense.

- Steve Slaton scores the first points of the game with a TD 1-yard out. The 49ers defense couldn't hold the Texans' big plays. 7-0 HOU.

- Crabtree gets his first catch, a 4-yard screen pass. No first down again for SF.

2nd Quarter

- The 49ers give up some big plays and Andre Johnson gets his first catch. The Texans punt, but Battle muffs his punt. Texans recover on the SF 10-yard line.

- A screen play to Steve Slaton for a 9-yard TD score. Texans now lead 14-0.

- The 49ers start on the 20 from touchback... Crabtree gets an 18-yard catch on 3rd & 11... but the team is forced to punt again after stalling once again.

- The Texans score on a 42-yard play action pass to TE Owen Daniels. 21-0 HOU.

- The 49ers have a first down via the run and a penalty on this drive. It's the 2 minute warning and the 49ers on Houston 40. They have to get some points on this drive... on 4th & 2 on the 38, the 49ers go for it and fail... O-line crumbled on that play.

- Steve Slaton fumbles the ball in an attempt to run the clock. 49ers recover the ball. The play is under review. If 49ers do retain, they can go for a last-second field goal to end the half.

- The ruling is down by contact. That ends the half. 49ers down 21-0 and the offense has looked terrible.

3rd Quarter

- Alex Smith is now under center to star the second half...Barry Sims at RT. Adam Snyder at RG in an attempt to fix struggling O-Line...Crabtree gets a 17-yard grab crom Smith. Crabtree has more catches than OAK's DHB.

- Smith hits Vernon Davis for a 29-yard pass play right up the middle. 49ers score but Vernon is on sideline being tended to. 21-7 HOU. (Davis had wind knocked out. He'll be OK)

-Texans get only one first down and punt. Smith and 49ers back out and let's see if they can score again starting at own 12.

- The 49ers can't get a first down and are forced to punt. A penalty set back that drive. Punt to Houston.

- Steve Slaton fumbles the ball. Dashon Goldson caused the fumble and recovered it on the SF 34. Now to see how Alex Smith will do with good field position.

-The 49ers are moving the ball but penalties are setting the team back...Morgan had an illegal motion that wiped out Crabtree's 22-yard catch...and that ends the 3rd quarter with the 49ers going on a 3rd & 5.

4th Quarter

- On 3rd & 6, Crabtree gets just enough to get the first down...and on next 3rd & 6 play, Smith hits Morgan up the middle to the 14 yard line...next play, Smith hits Vernon Davis for a TD!!! 21-14 HOU.

- The Texans start deep in their own territory and are driving the ball down... now on SF 29...after a sack by Ahmad Brooks and a HOU personal foul, Kris Brown nails a 50-yard FG. 24-14 HOU.

- Smith is driving the 49ers down the field while setting up in shotgun the whole way...Crabtree has an 11-yard catch and a 23-yard pass to Josh Morgan...following that, a 23-yard TD pass to Vernon Davis. 24-21 HOU.

- The Texans are driving down the field and sit at the SF 40...2 minute warning with a 2nd & 11 coming up...49ers have two timeouts...they hold the Texans and they punt.

- 49ers will start at their own 8 with 1:38 left. Newly signed LB Matt Wilhelm was on holding penalty. Smith is driving the ball down the field but on 4th &10, the ball is intercepted by Eugene Wilson and that will wrap it up.

- Recap coming up.

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