Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (1/2/22): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (1/2/22)

With two weeks left in the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers are one of just a handful of teams looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win this weekend. To do so, they’ll need to take care of business against the Texans, who come to San Francisco hot off back-to-back wins against the Chargers and Jaguars, and get a break via a Saints or Eagles loss. If they get in, they will likely be one of three teams to represent the NFC West division in Wild Card weekend. The Texans, meanwhile, are playing their best football of the season as they’ve matched their win total from weeks 1-14 in just 2 games. The Texans and 49ers have met 4 times before in NFL history with the 49ers leading the all time series 3-1.

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Betting Odds

Betting Trends

Texans are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win
Texans are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a winning home record
Texans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their last game
49ers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in January
49ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall
49ers are 15-31-1 ATS in their last 47 games as a favorite

The Pick

While Houston has never been valued higher than they are right now and regression is undoubtedly on the way for this team, I can’t bank on the 49ers to cover a 12.5 point spread with as many injuries as they have at key offensive positions. Jimmy G won’t be 100 percent and there’s even rumors that Trey Lance may get the start in this game. The 49ers are down 3 of their top 5 running backs, which is notable against a team that’s horrible against the run. I don’t think Houston RB Rex Burkhead is going to rush for 149 yards in this one so I don’t think a Houston upset is in the cards either, but I expect a low scoring game that’s close early.

My Prediction: 49ers win 24-16, Houston covers (+12.5) and the under hits (u44)

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, January, 2
Time: 4:05 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, CA
TV Coverage: Fox

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Live Stream

Where can you watch Texans vs 49ers online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Texans vs 49ers Free Online Now.

Injuries

Houston Texans: OT Laremy Tunsil (Thumb) O, OL Marcus Cannon (Back) O, RB David Johnson (COVID-19) O, OLB Kamu Grugier-Hill (Knee) Q, WR Phillip Dorsett II (Foot) O, OT Tytus Howard (COVID-19) O, DE Jonathan Greenard (Foot) Q, OL Justin Britt (Knee) Q, CB Jimmy Moreland (Illness) Q, WR Chris Conley (Knee) Q
San Francisco 49ers: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Thumb) Q, CB Jason Verett (Torn ACL) O, OT Mike McGlinchey (Quadricep) O, P Mitch Witchnowsky (COVID-19) O, DT Javon Kinlaw (Knee) O, RB Raheem Mostart (Knee) O, DT DJ Jones (Ankle) Q, RB Trey Sermon (Ankle) O, DE Dee Ford (Back) O, OLB Dre Greenlaw (Groin) Q, WR Mohammed Sanu Sr (Knee) O, DT Maurice Hurst (Calf) Q, CB Emmanuel Moseley (Ankle) O, RB Elijah Mitchell (Knee) Q, SS Tavon Wilson (Gameday Inactive) O

Houston Texans Analysis

Many people, myself included, thought the Texans were actively tanking for the number 1 pick heading into this season. Whether or not this is true on an organizational level, this Texans team has played like they’ve had something to prove over the last three weeks and credit to head coach David Culley and this veteran roster for not letting things get too far astray.

That said, the Texans still have the worst yards per game offense in the NFL. While Rex Burkhead had a lot of success against a weak Chargers run defense last week, the Texans running game is only averaging 84.8 yards a game on the season which is last in the NFL by nearly two yards. Their passing offense is the third worst in the NFL, averaging 192 yards a game on 6.6 yards an attempt. They rank 28th in red zone touchdown percentage and 30th in points per game, averaging just 16.5 points a Sunday.

On defense the Texans aren’t much better. Giving up 380.9 yards a game, only the Seahawks and Jets allow teams to put up more yards on average than the Texans. They’ve struggled most against the run this season, allowing 141.3 yards a game on the ground. They allow touchdowns on 62.7 percent of opponent red zone drives and have the 29th ranked scoring defense, giving up 26.7 points a game.

Houston Texans Depth Chart

QB: Davis Mills
RB1: Rex Burkhead
RB2: Royce Freeman
RB3: David Johnson
WR1: Chris Conley
WR2: Nico Collins
WR3: Brandin Cooks
TE1: Brevin Jordan

San Francisco 49ers Analysis

Ain’t nothing but a G-thang — a Jimmy G thang. With the 49ers quarterback healthy, this offense is a big play offense. Only the Los Angeles Rams average more yards per play than the 49ers at 6 a snap. Moreover, no team averages more yards per completion than the 49ers at 12.1. They rank tenth in the NFL in total yards per game behind a rushing attack that averages 123 yards and a passing attack that averages 244 yards.

This defense has been solid all year, ranking 4th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game at just 318.9. Against the pass, they rank seventh in the NFL, giving up 211.5 yards a game, and against the run they rank 11th, giving up 107 yards a game. Their red zone defense ranks 13th in the NFL, allowing touchdowns on 55 percent of opponent red zone drives.

Deebo Samuel has oftentimes been the pulse of this team on offense, leading them with over 1,200 receiving yards and 300 rushing yards. Heck, he even has an attempted pass on the season (which ended up being incomplete). Two of the 49ers three most utilized running backs in Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon are on the IR this week for non COVID related reasons.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1: Jeff Wilson Jr
RB2: Kyle Juszczyk
WR1: Deebo Samuel
WR2: Brandon Aiyuk
WR3: Jauan Jennings
TE1: George Kittle

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Daily Fantasy Pick

With Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon both out this week, San Francisco running back Jeff Wilson Jr is going to see a lot more carries than he’s used to. Houston has one of the worst rushing defenses in football, and the 49ers offensive line has been solid all year. Expect this perfect storm to produce season bests for the 4th year running back out of North Texas who’s averaging 49 yards on 11 carries a game. Wilson Jr is currently listed at $5,600 on DraftKings and $6,700 on FanDuel.