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49ers vs. Texans: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 14

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX- AUGUST 28: Lance Lewis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers stiff arms Marcus Williams #40 of the Houston Texans in the second half in a pre-season NFL game on August 28, 2014 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The 49ers won 40 to 13. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX- AUGUST 28: Lance Lewis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers stiff arms Marcus Williams #40 of the Houston Texans in the second half in a pre-season NFL game on August 28, 2014 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The 49ers won 40 to 13. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 09: Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans stands on the sidelines during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 09: Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans stands on the sidelines during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers Offensive Line vs. Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney

Remember when fans were wondering if Texans defensive end/linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft, was turning into a bust?

Well, that hasn’t happened. Clowney has long since lived up to such draft hype, and he currently leads the Texans with nine sacks. One can only wonder what those totals would be if Houston had the additional pass-rushing prowess of defensive end J.J. Watt and EDGE Whitney Mercilus.

Clowney is still a threat, as his 43 total pressures this year are tied for ninth among all qualifying 3-4 outside linebackers, per Pro Football Focus. And Houston isn’t afraid to line him up everywhere along the defensive front, thus taking advantage of opponents’ biggest weaknesses along their offensive lines.

For the 49ers, this is the interior. Overall, San Francisco has had issues in pass protection. According to Football Outsiders, the Niners rank 23rd in this crucial category, and the 49ers have already allowed 99 quarterback hits — second highest in the league.

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In nickel formations, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Clowney operate out of the left defensive end position, trying his interior pass-rushing moves between Niners left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Laken Tomlinson.

Tomlinson is the bigger liability, of course. So this particular one-on-one matchup should be critical to San Francisco’s passing success.

If San Francisco wins this particular matchup, and manages to hold its own in the others, there’s a good chance we’ll see a three-win team for the first time since 2015.

Next: 5 biggest challenges for the 49ers in Houston

The 49ers and Texans kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 10 from NRG Stadium in Houston.