Niner Noise
FanSided

Finding the wins on 49ers’ remaining 2017 schedule

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 15: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans rolls out looking for a receiver as he is pursued by Craig Dahl #43 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on August 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 15: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans rolls out looking for a receiver as he is pursued by Craig Dahl #43 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Reliant Arena at Reliant Park on August 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Week 14 @ Houston Texans

Opponent’s Record: 3-5

The prospectus for this game would be vastly different if the Houston Texans had rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson under center.

But Watson is out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL, meaning backup QB Tom Savage is still slated to start.

As long as that doesn’t change, the 49ers stand a chance. Yes, Houston’s defense — sans defensive tackle J.J. Watt (knee) and linebacker Whitney Mercilus (pectoral) — is still very good. And this unit is more than capable of shutting down anything the Niners can do, offensively.

Yet keep in mind the Indianapolis Colts, who are going through their own share of woes, went into Houston in Week 9 and upended the Texans 20-14.

The Colts have a few more weapons than the Niners, though, so predicting a win here for San Francisco is tough to do.

We’ll have to see how the Texans handle the adversity the next couple of weeks, but an educated guess would have the 49ers losing this road contest too.

Prediction: 49ers 10, Texans 17