HOUSTON – Here is how the 49ers (5-3) graded in Sunday’s 26-15 loss to the host Houston Texans (3-4):
PASS OFFENSE: F
Third-down failures on the first three series set the tone for the offensive dysfunction, perhaps best illustrated by Demarcus Robinson making a third-down catch but losing a yard on it. Will Anderson Jr. was a matchup nightmare for right tackle Colton McKivitz. Jones, as Kyle Shanahan said, “made some plays, missed some, too.” Touchdown strikes to George Kittle and Jake Tonges were on the money, as were two stellar throws to Jauan Jennings, one of which he dropped at the 20-yard line and one he nabbed for a 25-yard gain at the 2-yard line.
RUN OFFENSE: F
Christian McCaffrey’s carries were limited because of the offense’s quick possessions. He lost 5 yards on his final carry, immediately after the 49ers fell behind 26-15 midway through the fourth quarter. He finished with 25 yards on eight carries, and that included a pair of 9-yard gains in the third quarter. Jones ran for 23 yards on two carries, but a Jauan Jennings facemask penalty wiped out a 13-yard scamper by Jones to foil the opening drive.
PASS DEFENSE: F
Blitzing didn’t help an anemic pass rush as C.J. Stroud did not get sacked and threw for a season-high 318 yards. He was 30-of-39 and threw two touchdown passes. Deommodore Lenoir ended the 49ers’ NFL-record drought of 14 consecutive games without an interception, but he perhaps cost them a chance at points by seeking a 56-yard interception return and coming 30 yards shy. The 49ers absolutely must trade for a defensive end within the next week, considering they’re without Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos and, as of Sunday’s second half, Sam Okuayinonu.
RUN DEFENSE: F
The Texans channeled the 49ers’ game plan in last Sunday’s win over Atlanta and churned out 36 carries for 157 yards, split mostly between Woody Marks (62 yards) and Nick Chubb (56 yards). Tatum Bethune had 14 tackles, safety Malik Mustapha had 12 and Dee Winters totaled 11 before leaving with a knee injury. It seemed the 49ers missed more tackles in this game than any other this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
Brian Robinson delivered the 49ers’ longest kick return this season, and that 46-yarder to midfield (plus a facemask penalty on the Texans) fed their first touchdown drive before halftime. While the Texans got four field goals, Eddy Pineiro attempted none. Punter Thomas Morstead was kept busy and had a 45.4 net average on five punts, one of which Siran Neal downed at the 6.
COACHING: F
The 49ers snoozed through the first half (10 a.m. PT kickoff) and couldn’t get into any positive rhythm against a beatable host. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh dialed up blitzes early but nothing could impact Stroud, not even the Texans’ lack of their top two wide receivers.
