HOUSTON – Apologies to knowledge analysts and numbers crunchers however one in all Stanford’s most distinguished alumni has one thing to say.
“You can look at stats all you want and stats tell a story,” 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey mentioned, “but they don’t tell the whole story.”
The 49ers (5-2) are writing a singular story this season, serving up plot twists exterior logical numbers. The following chapter will unfold towards the Texans (2-4) on Sunday (10 a.m. PT kickoff).
It’s OK if you happen to’ve misplaced rely amid this season’s storylines: Too many accidents to stars, too many rookies, no 30-point video games, and never sufficient yards per carry from McCaffrey, though he has extra scrimmage yards than any of the 1,695 different gamers on NFL rosters.
“Each week, each play has a life of its own,” added McCaffrey, Stanford’s lifeblood from 2014-16. “Everybody wants the run game to work, they want the pass game to work, they want to score touchdowns. That’s been true since the beginning of time. There’s definitely a sense of urgency but there’s always been, and when things don’t go well, you harp on it more.”
Listed below are 5 methods the 49ers (5-2) can beat the Texans (2-4) at NRG Stadium:
1. MORE McCAFFREY
Why divert this story in one other path when everybody is aware of McCaffrey is approaching the halfway level of an MVP-caliber season. The routine 49ers will preserve feeding him the ball.
Their speeding recreation broke out of its early-season droop final recreation by audibling to an influence scheme, with McCaffrey racing between the tackles for 129 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-10 win over Atlanta. Combine in one other 72 receiving yards – together with a third-and-long conversion to arrange his second rating – and the 49ers aren’t apologizing for his over-usage, not once they’re with out Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk.
Houston’s protection, ranked first in scoring, presents a tougher problem and gained’t be as prone to the ability scheme and explosive runs. However with left sort out Trent Williams anchoring the offensive line and tight finish George Kittle again within the fray for a second straight recreation, don’t anticipate McCaffrey to retreat from the highlight.
“That’ll be their main focus and their main game plan, and rightfully so,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned. “Because he’s such a dynamic player, he changes the game for them offensively. Not just what he does but where he aligns.”
McCaffrey’s performed 84% of the offensive snaps, and whereas he’s excused from Wednesday practices for recuperate, he’s continuously recalibrating a physique that was waylaid by Achilles and knee points final 12 months. “It’s like the Formula One strategy of putting the car in the garage and figuring out what’s going on,” he mentioned.
2. BLOCK THE EDGE
As McCaffrey famous, the 49ers have the No. 1 passing assault within the NFL. Mac Jones will make his fourth straight begin instead of Brock Purdy (toe), and he’ll once more be unable to focus on Ricky Pearsall a fourth straight recreation.
Coming after Jones would be the NFL’s fifth-ranked cross protection and an total unit that’s the toughest to attain towards. Left sort out Trent Williams will match up typically towards former offseason sparring accomplice Danielle Hunter whereas proper sort out Colton McKivitz opposes Will Anderson, Jones’ former Alabama teammate and the 2023 draft’s No. 3 decide. Hunter and Anderson every have 4 sacks, with Anderson producing a strip-sack fumble restoration for a landing in Monday’s loss at Seattle.
The 49ers additionally should look out for security Jalen Pitre in addition to linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who acquired his begin on the Niners. “They all go hard, they play with a certain style and are one of the best, if not tied for the best, D-Lines we’ve seen,” mentioned coach Kyle Shanahan, who first grew to become an NFL playcaller because the 2008 Houston Texans offensive coordinator.
Kittle is coming off his first profession recreation with out a catch and he could have to assist block, however then once more, that’s why Luke Farrell commanded a steep contract in free company.
The NFL once more is recognizing Nationwide Tight Ends Day, so Kittle must leak out and be part of McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne in Jones’ crosshairs.
3. MYKEL’S BREAKOUT GAME
Mykel Williams, the 49ers’ high draft decide, is now their No. 1 defensive finish with Bryce Huff (hamstring) becoming a member of Nick Bosa (knee) and Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) on the sidelines. As a lot as Williams enjoys shifting from the sting to the “quickness” of taking part in inside on cross downs, the 49ers have a surplus of inside linemen and want Williams to indicate up as an out of doors rusher greater than ever.
However he is aware of he can replicate Huff’s velocity or play past his means. “The temptation is real, because you want to make plays, but you have to play within the scheme and let the plays come to you,” mentioned Williams, who has one sack. (Defensive finish Sam Okuayinonu and nickel again Upton Stout even have one every to account for the 49ers’ complete exterior of Huff and Bosa.)
As Bosa recovers from season-ending knee reconstruction, he’s returned to the 49ers’ facility and Williams is once more seizing on his recommendation. “I go to the training room and chop it up, talk about what he’s seeing on the tape,” Williams mentioned. “He’s still giving me pointers. I’m still leaning on him.”
If Williams isn’t matching up with rookie left sort out Aireontae Ersery or veteran proper sort out Tytus Howard, the 49ers may pit him towards Eleventh-year left guard Laken Tomlinson, who performed for the 49ers from 2017-21 and spent the next two years on Robert Saleh’s Jets.
4. ‘EVERYONE CAN HATE YOU’
Saleh is seven video games into reprising his position because the 49ers defensive coordinator. How on this NFL earth did his unit enable solely 10 factors final recreation whereas Fred Warner cheered from a set with a just-repaired ankle?
“Good players,” Saleh mentioned. “I know it’s a young group, but they’re all excited. … There’s always an opportunity for somebody to step into the shoes that have been there for a while.”
Tatum Bethune stepped into Warner’s center linebacker position, delivered 10 tackles towards the Falcons and now makes his encore begin.
“You can’t take a deep breath. You’ve got to step on the gas and keep doing it over and over and over again,” Saleh mentioned. “This league is a proving ground week-in and week-out. As much as they love you this week, everyone can hate you next week.”
As he did final week, Bethune did extra-credit homework finding out at security Malik Mustapha’s home. Bethune is also having fun with his linebacker pairing with linebacker Dee Winters, saying, “We’re like brothers and it reminds me of college.”
5. DON’T OVERLOOK TEXANS
Houston will likely be with out extensive receiver Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. That’s good for the 49ers. Nevertheless it’s solely good in the event that they don’t let unheralded backups seize their alternatives to make performs, one thing the 49ers didn’t do two weeks in the past in Tampa Bay the place two receivers scored their first profession touchdowns (credit score: Baker Mayfield) instead of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka.
C.J. Stroud appeared helpless Monday evening with out Collins and Kirk. Tight finish Dalton Schultz will likely be Stroud’s go-to man, so the 49ers’ linebackers and safeties higher not lose observe of him. However Stroud shouldn’t be shy in looking for rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. In any case, the 49ers protection has gone with out an interception in an NFL-record 14 consecutive video games. Deommodore Lenoir (quadriceps bruise), Renardo Inexperienced (toe) and Stout (ankle) should not at optimum well being.
The synthetic turf will make for a quick observe, however the 49ers are 3-0 on non-grass surfaces this season. In the event that they win Sunday, they’ll match their total win complete from final season (6-11) and so they’ll be alone atop the NFC West, seeing how the Rams (5-2) and Seahawks (5-2) are each on byes.
