49ers vs. Texans: Preview, score prediction for Week 14
San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans host the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 14 clash between two teams who are looking to the future. With Deshaun Watson out and the Texans now 4-8 after a run of five defeats in six, Houston is now simply playing out the string and looking to avoid a third successive loss.
But there is more intrigue in this game with the two-win 49ers, who approach the Week 14 contest in something of a buoyant mood after Jimmy Garoppolo excelled in his first start as quarterback, which saw him lead San Francisco to victory over the Chicago Bears.
He will now have the chance to guide the Niners to back-to-back victories, something which they have not achieved since November 2014. Should he do so, then excitement around the man the 49ers have selected to be the franchise quarterback will continue to grow.
Keys to the Game
If the 49ers are to end their extraordinary long wait for successive victories then much will rely on Garoppolo’s ability to take advantage of a very vulnerable Houston secondary. The Texans’ pass defense has improved in recent weeks but it is still ranked No. 22 in the NFL in yards per game given up.
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Garoppolo’s hopes of enjoying another successful day’s work may well hinge on the health of right tackle Trent Brown, who is questionable with a shoulder injury. Brown being unable to play would significantly hinder the 49ers’ ability to protect Garoppolo from Jadeveon Clowney, who has nine sacks on the season.
On the opposing side of the ball DeAndre Hopkins will obviously be the focal point of the Texans’ gameplan and will view his matchup with 49ers rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon as a favorable one.
Lamar Miller will also hope he can end the recent resurgence of the 49ers’ run defense, which has given up just 152 yards in the last two weeks. However, Houston’s prospects of victory likely lie with how their struggling offensive line protects a turnover-prone quarterback in Tom Savage.
A San Francisco defensive line that will be refreshed having played just 37 snaps against the Bears should be relishing facing a Texans offensive line that has given up 38 sacks and is ranked No. 27 in the league in pass protection by Football Outsiders.
Savage has thrown six interceptions and lost eight fumbles in 2017 and, if the 49ers get to him consistently, then the Texans may find it difficult to put themselves in a winning position.
Odds
Point spread: Houston +2.5
Moneyline: San Francisco +120 Houston -140
Over/Under: 45
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Prediction
It is tough in a game between two teams with six wins between them to suggest that either side has momentum, but you could make the argument that the 49ers do. They come into the game on a high after Garoppolo’s composed performance in Chicago and have both the better quarterback and a fresher defense. That combination should be enough for the 49ers to pull off the upset.
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers: 24, Houston Texans: 16