Texans vs. 49ers Rapid Recap

Oct 6, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

If Matt Schaub’s job security was at shaky, what’s it at now…very shaky?

After throwing a pick-six on his first pass attempt of the game to set the NFL record for most consecutive games with a pick-six (four), Schaub was benched after throwing his third interception of the night late in the third quarter. Meanwhile the 3-2 49ers rolled to a 34-3 win, ending a murderous five-game stretch to open the season that featured four playoff teams from last season.

Behind a dominant defensive performance, one without linebacker Patrick Willis, the Niners went up 14-0 after one quarter and forced Houston to basically abandon the run. They forced four turnovers (three Schaub picks and a Ben Tate fumble), and were able to take the pressure off the offense, giving them good field position.

The offensive attack was lead by Frank Gore, who ran for 81 yards on 17 carries, including a 1-yard TD run. Colin Kaepernick was not much of a factor at all for the 49ers, but he didn’t need to be. Kaepernick completed only six passes for 113 yards, with 64 of those yards coming on a fourth quarter touchdown pass to Vernon Davis.

After a 1-2 start, the Niners seemed to have righted the ship with two convincing wins. Houston on the other hand is reeling and it all starts with their quarterback situation. Even though he was benched tonight, Schaub likely will be the starter next week and going forward, unless he continues to play so poorly that T.J. Yates begins to look like a clear upgrade.

For a team that had postseason aspirations, the Texans don’t look like a playoff team in the AFC. Divisional rivals Indianapolis and Tennessee are now ahead of Houston in the division, and based on the last three weeks, the Texans in no way look like a team that can challenge the Colts in the AFC South.

Next week the Texans host the St. Louis Rams, while the 49ers will face the Arizona Cardinals at home in their Week 6 game.