Two 2012 playoff teams will try to avoid falling below .500 today the Houston Texans travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. Join us for live scores and updates from 11.30am AEST.
Both teams are a surprising 2-2 coming into NFL week 5, and both have experienced bitter losses at the hand of the Seattle Seahawks.
Last week, Houston hosted the undefeated Seahawks and managed to get up 20-3 at halftime, before being held scoreless in the second half.
Quarterback Matt Schaub had an ill-advised interception in the fourth quarter which was returned for a touchdown to tie the game, which led to an overtime 23-20 loss.
Schaub has now gone three consecutive games with a pick-six and was the subject of much discussion this week around the NFL.
Backup TJ Yates could be named the starter sooner rather than later if Schaub has a repeat poor performance.
Two weeks removed from a blowout loss to Seattle, the 49ers got back on track in Week 4 with a solid division win against the Rams last Thursday night.
Running back Frank Gore had his first 100-yard game of the season and the 49ers returned to their old-school method – running the ball, and solid defense (five sacks).
Both teams struggle holding onto the ball, coming into the week with a -4 turnover ratio, and both teams have a defense that can expound upon that.
Texans safety Ed Reed leads all active players with 61 interceptions, although he is looking for his first as a Texan.
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is another star, being the only player since 2007 to record more than 17 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 7 interceptions.
Houston are currently a game behind AFC South leaders Indianapolis and Tennessee, and haven’t had a losing record since 2010.
San Francisco are essentially two-and-a-half games behind NFC West leaders Seattle and although it’s still early, a wildcard spot could be all they can hope for.
On the injury front, Texans starting left guard Brandon Brooks couldn’t practice and is out for the game, and wide receiver Andre Johnson is questionable.
For the 49ers, only backup corner Nnamdi Asomugha is questionable.
Houston’s game plan will likely be to spread the ball out more in the passing game (DeAndre Hopkins leads all NFL rookies in yardage, but can still contribute more) and try to clamp down on the 49ers running game with 2012 defensive MVP JJ Watt.
The 49ers need to follow the same plan as last week – keep the ball churning on the ground with Frank Gore, and sprinkle in some play action to Vernon Davis.
The 49ers all-star defense should do the rest.
Join us on the Roar for live scores and commentary from 11.30am AEST.
Drew
Guest
Great coverage Nigel - hope you are well mate (this is Andrew from Hope). Thrilled my Cards are 3-2 now, but gee the NFC West is a lot tighter these days...
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Thanks again, Nigel. Yay for the 49ers! My daughter and I joined a group at the local sports bar (in Northern Philippines) for this year's Superbowl. Almost to a man (and 2 women), everyone was a 49er supporter. One had come from Cambodia, and wore his 49ers shirt and colors.
hemi
Guest
awesum game,actually sat and watched the whole game,adverts included,didnt want to miss a second.honestly thought dallas was gonna take it.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Yeowch, 49ers decided to make a point there, unlucky Texans.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Texans 3 – 34 49ers It's the second blowout victory on Sunday night football, and this time the 49ers are on the right side of it - taking the lead within the first two minutes, and it was never close. Debate in Houston will be around Matt Schaub and his future as a starter - he certainly didn't look great, although TJ Yates may not be better. They're up against St Louis next week. The 49ers won another game without needing a big play from Kaepernick - they did it on defense and on the ground. Tramaine Brock, with two interceptions, is my pick for player of the game. They'll face Arizona next week. Thanks for joining us, enjoy the rest of your day!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 2:00 Texans 3 – 34 49ers 49ers are just taking a couple of kneel downs to end this one, and the Texans aren't using their timeouts.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 2:10 Texans 3 – 34 49ers A handoff to Dixon gets one yard up the middle, and that'll take us to the TWO MINUTE WARNING.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 3:45 Texans 3 – 34 49ers James takes the next handoff as the 49ers work down the clock, but only gains two yards. They give him the carry on second as well and he works it left for another first down!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5:00 Texans 3 – 34 49ers James takes the carry to the right and sprints for the corner, taken down after eight yards. Dixon gets the toss on the next carry and goes left for five and a first down.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 6:05 Texans 3 – 34 49ers It's been pretty disappointing by the Texans on both sides of the ball. 49ers give a carry to Hunter off the left side and he gains 12 before going out of bounds.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 10:51 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Yates can't handle the snap on fourth down! He recovers, but is taken down and it'll be a turnover on downs!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 6:20 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Brock deflects the pass on third down but a flag for offside comes in - it'll now be third and short. Play action, Yates had time but everyone was covered and he eventually had to throw it away.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 7:40 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Foster takes the carry on first down for four yards - including a very nice jump cut. Foster takes it once more to the left, taken down by Rogers for no gain.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 8:20 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Five wide on third down, and Yates slings it to Daniels for a first down - just squeezed it in there.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 9:00 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Yates is pressured up the middle and throws it away on first down. On second down he finds Posey at midfield for five yards.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 9:30 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Foster finds a big hole and gets upfield for about 20 yards before being pushed out of bounds.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 10:05 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Injury timeout while Dobbs is down. On second Foster gets the carry, and he's about a foot short of a first down.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 10:45 Texans 3 – 34 49ers We should get a sample of TJ Yates for the last ten minutes - perhaps an audition for who to start next week! Screen to Foster, he'll pick up six.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 10:51 Texans 3 – 34 49ers Nope, the offense trotted off and Dawson will knock through the easy field goal.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Q4 – 11:40 Texans 3 – 31 49ers Dixon gets one more carry, and he's stopped short of the goalline. They'll go for it on fourth down!