49ers @ Texans live blog

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) runs on to the field with teammates before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

This is the live blog for the 49ers’ Week 14 road game against the Houston Texans. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from my living room.

9:54 Here are the 49ers inactives:

  • RT Trent Brown
  • DE Ronald Blair
  • DE Leger Douzable
  • NT D.J. Jones
  • LB Pita Taumoepenu
  • S Antone Exum
  • RB Jeremy McNichols

10:02 The Texans win the toss and defer. The 49ers will have the ball first.

10:05 The 49ers go three-and-out to start the game. Jimmy Garopplo’s pass intended for Marquise Goodwin on third-and-three was broken up, and Kendrick Bourne was flagged for offensive pass interference, which the Texans declined.

10:11 On third-and-3 from the 49ers 34, K’Waun Williams sacks Tom Savage. Next play, the Texans make a 55-yard field goal and take a 3-0 lead. Savage completed three of three passes for 33 yards on that drive. DeAndre Hopkins made one uncontested catch against a soft Cover 3 defense. He ran a comeback route as corner Dontae Johnson kept running downfield.

10:20 On first-and-15 from the Texans 39, Jadeveon Clowney beats Zane Beadles around the edge, Garoppolo rushes his throw and passes behind Trent Taylor. Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson intercepts the pass. After the interception, tight end Garrett Celek commits a horse-collar penalty.

10:25 On fourth-and-1 from the 49ers 39, Earl Mitchell tackles Texans running back Lamar Miller two yards behind the line of scrimmage. That was a classic Kyle Shanahan play by Bill O’Brien. Hard to run up the middle when the gaps are stacked with inches to go.

10:30 Robert Saleh lined up his players in a 46 defense on that fourth-and-1 play, and the nose tackle swam the center. I’ve been saying Saleh should use that defense all season. Good for Robert.

10:32 On second-and-10, Daniel Kilgore commits a holding penalty that negates a nine-yard run by Hyde. The Niners go three-and-out.

10:33 The 49ers have committed four penalties in the first quarter. One penalty was declined.

10:35 The Texans are clogging the middle of the field with multiple zone defenders, yet Kyle Shanahan continues to call pass plays with primary and secondary receivers in those areas. The Texans have a good scouting report on where Shanahan likes to go with the ball.

10:36 The Texans will face first-and-10 from their 27 when the second quarter starts.

10:45 On third-and-17 from the Texans 37, Texans tight end Stephen Anderson drops a first-down pass over the middle. The Niners will get the ball at their 20-yard line.

10:47 Earlier in the drive, Eli Harold sacked Savage for a seven-yard loss on second-and-10 when no one blocked him.

10:54 On third-and-10 from the 49ers 38, Garoppolo throws an incomplete pass intended for Marquise Goodwin. The pass was broken up by Texans corner Johnathan Joseph. The 49ers punt.

10:59 On third-and-7 from the Texans nine, the 49ers rush seven defenders and force Savage to throw a quick, incomplete throw. Saleh is doing a good job of blitzing on third-and-long.

11:00 Reuben Foster is hurt again.

11:01 Elvis Dumervil drove Savage into the ground on that third down, Savage’s helmet hit the turf and his hands started shaking. Looks like a concussion.

11:06 On third-and-16 from the Texans 39, Garoppolo completes a five-yard pass to Trent Taylor. Next play, Robbie Gould makes a 52-yard field goal. The 49ers and Texans are tied at three.

11:07 Something to watch: Right tackle Zane Beadles and right guard Brandon Fusco cannot handle the twist stunt by the Texans DE and DT. Jadeveon Clowney is coming around clean on that stunt and hitting Garoppolo.

11:11 Carlos Hyde, the 49ers leading receiver, whiffed on a deep pass during that drive. Embarrassing play.

11:12 Texans running back Lamar Miller hurts his knee. He’s out. The Texans may not score another point.

11:13 Savage throws a screen pass into the turf on third-and-11, and the Texans go three-and-out. I can’t believe Savage is playing. He was twitching on the field. He probably is concussed.

11:19 On second-and-goal from the two-yard line, Hyde runs up the middle, bounces outside and scores. Classic Hyde. The Niners lead 10-3. Ten points should be enough to win this game.

11:21 On that drive, Shanahan finally noticed the Texans were giving him one-on-one matchups on the left side. So, he called two long passes to Kyle Juszczyk, who caught both. Good adjustment.

11:30 T.J. Yates replaces Savage and leads a 75-yard touchdown drive. Hopkins caught the TD pass when he beat Dontae Johnson with a move to the inside. The Texans clearly feel Johnson in the weak link in the 49ers secondary. The Niners still lead 10-9 after the Texans miss the extra point.

11:38 Gould makes a 35-yard field goal before halftime. The 49ers lead 13-9. That drive was made possible by Hopkins, who ran out of bounds when he didn’t have to during the previous series. Still, Hopkins is having a great game — seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Feels like a repeat of Week 4 when the 49ers couldn’t stop T.Y. Hilton.

11:40 Garoppolo’s quarterback rating in the first half was 64.4.

11:52 The Texans get the ball to start the third quarter. They will start from their 25.

11:57 On first-and-10 from the 49ers 29, Yates throws a touchdown pass to Hopkins. The Texans lead 16-13.

11:59 The Texans are going after Dontae Johnson mercilessly with Hopkins. The Texans targeted Johnson four times on the drive. The result: three catches, 52 yards, one touchdown, two pass-interference penalties (one was declined).

12:09 Garoppolo leads the 49ers to the Texans seven-yard line, then throws three straight incomplete passes. Gould makes a 25-yard field goal, and the 49ers and Texans are tied at 16.

12:17 The 49ers benched Dontae Johnson.

12:18 On third-and-2 from the Texans 46, Yates throws an incomplete pass intended for DeAndrew White. The 49ers get the ball at their 15 after the punt.

12:25 On second-and-2 from the Texans 6, Garoppolo throws a touchdown pass to Garrett Celek in the left flat. Celek was wide open. The 49ers lead 23-16. Celek caught a 61-yard catch earlier in the drive.

12:31 On third-and-10, Adrian Colbert breaks up a pass intended for DeAndrew White, and the Texans go three-and-out.

12:35 On second-and-6 from the 49ers 17, Laken Tomlinson commits a holding penalty. Next play, Brandon Fusco commits a false start. The 49ers will face second-and-19 from the four-yard line when the fourth quarter starts.

12:41 On third-and-16 from the 49ers’ 36, Garoppolo overthrows a deep pass to Marquise Goodwin, and a Texans defensive back drops an interception.

12:43 Bradley Pinion shanks a 24-yard punt, and the Texans get the ball at their 40.

12:47 On third-and-6 from the Texans’ 48, Elvis Dumervil hits Yates as he throws and forces an incomplete pass. Texans punt.

12:57 On third-and-9 from the 49ers 49, Garoppolo gets sacked for an 11-yard loss. The 49ers punt.

1:01 On second-and-11, Hopkins catches a screen pass, runs upfield and Adrian Colbert knocks the ball out of his hands. Great play. The 49ers recover.

1:06 Gould makes a 41-yard field goal. The 49ers lead 26-16 with 3:50 left.

1:12 On third-and-15 from the Texans 34, DeForest Buckner sacks Yates for a seven-yard loss. The Texans are going for it on fourth down.

1:13 Yates completes a 24-yard pass to DeAndrew White on fourth down just before the two-minute warning. The 49ers are challenging the play.

1:14 On the replay, it looks like White caught the ball, hit the turf, stood up before anyone touched him and got stripped by Eric Reid.

1:16 The officials rule White gave himself up. Not a reviewable play.

1:20 The Texans miss a 52-yard field goal, and the 49ers will win 26-16. Stay tuned for my post-game report and team grades.

This article has 236 Comments

  1. 49ers inactives
    RT Trent Brown (shoulder)
    RB Jeremy McNichols
    CB Antone Exum
    LB Pita Taumoepenu
    DL Leger Douzable
    DL D.J. Jones
    DL Ronald Blair

  2. Jimmy doesn’t look so accurate so far today. Hope he gets it together… as the line appears to be giving him time.

    1. There are battery powered toys on the market now that can give you the pick me up you’re looking for.

  3. This isn’t the Bears def. The chosen one is off today, let’s hope he heats up as 2nd qtr begins……interesting how he’s been declared repeatedly our qb of the future. Unsigned and one game under his belt…..yet I keep reading how refreshing it is to finally have a real qb, that’s a joke and an obvious shot at Kaep. Let’s see Brady Jr for a few games before he’s declared Jesus in cleats…..def coordinators will study film on him and adjust, it is then that we find out if he’s legit. Niners will have to tag him to find out, he’s not signing a long term deal. Very expensive experiment……Not impressed with his deep ball placement.
    Dueces Seb, for the sake of humanity hopefully Prime follows…..

    1. Niners have plenty of cap space so tagging him is no concern…. At least they’re trying to find their long-term answer at QB… Kaep has proven he’s far from that which is why he’s siting on the couch. Dude is done.

  4. I listen to, and read, pre-game reports. Most everyone was like ‘two bad secondaries = barn burner.’ Anything but…

  5. That quick release is useful for intermediate passing game, but his mechanics change when he tries to push the ball down field.
    Def already making proper adjustment by crowding los, daring JG to go deep…..Niners gotta open it up a bit, or least try…..otherwise sec gonna sit on short routes and ground game will continue to be non-existent.

  6. You have to wonder if Reuben Foster is going to work out long term. A linebacker that comes out of games as often as he does isn’t worth a first round pick.

      1. He didn’t touch the ball because he stopped running right before the ball got to him. What he did drop was his brain. That’s Hydes biggest problem.

    1. That has to be one of the more pathetic efforts I’ve seen. I hope he slowed down because he lost the ball. That was an easy 3rd.

  7. I’m starting to wonder if I should just quit watching football. I’ve given it a lot of thought before because I hate that guys are coming up with CTE/brain disease after their playing days. The NFL isn’t doing enough. People will still watch if the game is softened. It’s ridiculous that a quarterback should come up with uncontrollably shaking hands and almost comatose after a hit. That’s some ridiculously scary stuff right there.

    Before you label me soft, consider how you would feel if that was your son on the turf right there.

    It’s not my son but that boy has no business going back into the game. The game also needs to be softened. I’d still watch if it were flag football, honestly. This is not cool.

    1. I’m guessing it was a stinger. Pinched nerves can cause similar reactions to what he displayed as well.

        1. This is so not cool. Savage is now removed from the game. He played one series before coming out. This should absolutely NEVER happen. What the hell, Houston has just 4 wins on the year. They have no shot at a playoff spot. Why would they risk putting him in after that hit in the end zone?

          What this league is doing to these kids is absolutely savage. I understand we’re talking billions here but there needs to be some dramatic changes, otherwise with the way the speed, momentum and collisions are in this age, some of these guys are going to be dead before they hit age 50. ?

  8. Wagoner reports that the interception was tipped at the line of scrimmage. and Goodwin slipped otherwise the 30-yard incompletion was on the money. G’s not as errant as he looks.
    Hyde stinks!

  9. Finally some creative offense. No tape to study on Juice since he’s been most invisible this year

      1. Grant Cohn says:
        December 10, 2017 at 11:24 am
        The Texans are down to their third-string QB and third-string RB. They can’t score.

        And just like that…….

  10. Well Hyde does bounce off the line well. He had a big gain against Seattle in their first meeting on a similar play.

    1. lol, yeah. For all the praise given our D, they still give up plenty of big plays and scores. Not even close to a shutdown D.

  11. And again. For all the positives about this defense they sure do a bad job on possessions after the offense gives them leads.

  12. WTF, triple cover Hopkins if you have to! Saleh running a Cover No One defense. Johnson has no chance…

  13. JimmyG has only done what’s expected of him. Has he really had anything to do with these scoring drives? GRADE: C+

    1. Nope, his passing and quick release hasn’t had anything to do with our scoring drives or OL playing like turnstiles…. Give him an F. If Kaep was still here it would be 41-9….

    2. well on the flip side, he should have had a deep TD to Hyde if the latter had not misjudged the ball or whatever it was that he did.

  14. Hopkins catching everything thrown to him and beating Donte like he’s a rookie in his first game

  15. Walsh once had Keena Turner! bump a great wide receiver in a playoff game. Seems like nothing less will stop hopkins

  16. The only offensive lineman earning his paycheck today is Staley…. Rest of those dudes should be embarrassed. Outside of Clowney, that front is hardly imposing.

  17. Jimmy G has had pressure in his face all day and has been throwing darts. He deserves credit for standing in the pocket and making passes over the middle. Hoyer and Beathard would’ve been sacked multiple times. But you won’t here Grant mention that.

  18. For some reason they stopped bringing pressure after Yates came in, probably not the wisest strategy…..tired of seeing it week after week. They need to get after him, did a better job on hou first possession 2nd half.
    I thought you guys were joking about Seb, he seriously left. What happened? Surprised he let a few trolls run him outta here…..
    This might be the game of the day, minus our records…..actually pretty well played on both sides. The kind of game JG needs to take over if he has intentions on being great!! Turn up JG, that pass to Celek is a start….but we need to get 7, not 3…..enough red zone struggles already!

  19. Great catch by Brent Celek! If JimmyG wasn’t so mediocre the 49ers would have scored two touchdowns on that play.

      1. Your right, Ricardo~he is! Balky gives the gift that keeps on giving…………..incredibly poor judgement.

  20. How many hits is Shanny going to let Jimmy G take before he adjusts the protection? I cannot believe they tried to block Clowney 1 on 1 with Celek. Also that may have been the least athletic play I’ve ever seen from Hyde with the ball in the air.

  21. Was that bad pass on JG or did Goodwin run the wrong route? Goodwin and CJ had a similar play, I wasn’t sure about that one either.

    1. Miscommunication… Looking forward to seeing what Jimmy does after a full offseason under Shanahan. Miscommunications and penalties should be a thing of a past then hopefully.

    1. Dick has made several mistakes today, didn’t wanna point it out because I’m aware he’s getting up there in age. Reminds me of Summerall in his later years, kinda sad honestly.

  22. Man, can’t help but wonder what a guy like Hopkins would look like in red and gold…..he comes as advertised.

  23. I wouldn’t be upset if the 49ers decided to go after Deondre Hopkins this offseason.

    Lynch negates a sack like usual with a boneheaded offsides. Can’t wait for this guy to go elsewhere. It’s old!

  24. Holding the lead is the next step for the team. It will require hard work on both sides of the ball.

  25. I see JG, and I can’t call him Crapalo actually had a decent game. Now I didn’t say good game now, I said decent for he played against a crappy team that needs to fire their coach like the NYG did, because of the 49ers. I see the 49ers need the refs help as White was down, you can’t take the ball, but odds are, they probably will.

    By the way, I want the 49ers to draft a QB. Don’t keep CJ.

    Not ready at all to call JG the QB because we got tons of garbage on the team. WE need a real WR.

    1. Judgment call, non review. Can’t challenge. Kyle needs to stop these dumb challenges. Now he wants to run the score.

  26. Any team that loses like this to the 49ers needs to fire their coach. NYG, fired coach. Chi, has to fire coach. Houston, needs to fire coach.

  27. Buckner=a wonderful person. He studied at the elite prep school that Obama went to. Great German Samoan family.

  28. FIRE HOUSTON COACH going for the 52 yard FG like that, DUMB COACHING! Get rid of Savage and Yates the two DUMMY QBs. Worse QB tandem Houston has, garbage team, garbage coach, no wonder they get disasters that Colin Kaepernick makes fun of. Houston’s team SUCKS.

    1. Poor, sh**-head Troll. 49ers won again, by doing what you need to do… I hope your d**k is so bent out of shape it looks like a pretzel.

  29. Well, it looks like a win. Kudos to Garopplo and KS on the Celek touchdown. Defense did what it had to to win.

  30. Two starts, two wins for JG. Wasn’t good in the 1st qtr, but 2nd and 3rd qtrs he really got the team moving and put up some points. Can’t wait to see what this O looks like once they have a good OL and some better receivers.

    1. Yes sir. Go OL and WR in the first 2 rounds of the draft. Or through the FA. JG is giving us fans a lot to look forward to next year.

    2. Can’t wait to see what this O looks like once they have a good OL and some better receivers.

      And JG with a full training camp and the full playbook at his command.

  31. Good win! 106 yards today. Celek and Juice looked like weapons….guess it is more on the QB.

    Jimmy G was good….I have seen all there is to see…..sign him ASAP please! Draft picks are playing good….Colbert is for real.

  32. Hopkins dominating DJ today was probably a good thing by emphasizing how badly the niners need a shutdown corner and a dominant wide receiver.

    1. Nobody shuts down that guy. I’m just glad Tex inexplicably rotated the offense away from him in the 2nd half

  33. Good game guys!! Its fun watching a team with a competent QB. I don’t believe hoyer or CJ would have won this game. And as soon as the guys come on here saying things like, well jimmy didn’t do anything he wasn’t supposed to do, or he did this and he did that, just remember, we just won 2 games in a row for the 1st time since ’14. Its amazing when the entire team believes in a qb..

  34. 49ers’ first 11 games (without Garoppolo): 1-10. Last 2 games (with Garoppolo): 2-0. Niners finally have their long-term answer at QB and our young guys are playing great. Looking forward to another draft with Mr. Lynch!

  35. I will admit, I’m officially in with JG. He will be over paid with that franchise tag, but we have the most cap room in the league to offset the damage.
    2 game win streak?! And Raiders got dusted?! Xmas has come early, beachs!

    1. Niners run the table and finish on a 5 game win streak, heard it here first…..last 3 games very winnable, especially with JG improving every drive it seems…..and the legend grows. Super amped to see how they finish the season vs pretty stout squads. JG took a beating today, they need to keep the backs and te in to pass pro to help keep him clean…..Trent will help quite a bit if he returns next wk.
      Ladies and Gents, we are hottest team going rt now…..well at least in the bay we are, yeeee!

  36. What’s so special about Jimmy G?

    He makes average guys productive. Best quality of great players is they make others around them better.

    Great win today!

  37. Good to see that the future looks promising . Just keep this guy and watch the team mature into a yearly playoff contender.

  38. So is grant giving jimmy g a d- for the interception, plus he keeps dogging coach Kyle, who knows more football then he and I combined, who knows what the future brings but this is fun!

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