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49ers vs. Texans: Grading San Francisco’s efforts

By Logan Stanley

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass as Zane Beadles #68 blocks Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass as Zane Beadles #68 blocks Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Defensive line

Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and Elvis Dumveril had their way with the Houston offensive line, as they battered quarterback Tom Savage. It was Dumveril’s hit on Savage that knocked the quarterback out of the game, which caused a scary moment as the quarterback appeared to stiffen up after his head struck the ground.

Buckner recorded a sack, two quarterback hits, and had seven quarterback pressures (per PFF). Defensive lineman Earl Mitchell also had a key run stop on a fourth-down attempt.

Grade: B+

Linebacker

Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster has asserted his status on the team as one of the defense’s best players with his play so far, and that was again evident against the Texans. Foster led the team with eight tackles, including one tackle-for-loss.

Linebackers Eli Harold and Aaron Lynch also made contributions, with Harold finishing with two tackles and one sack and Lynch notching four tackles and a fumble recovery.

Most importantly, Houston’s ground attack was ineffective as their backfield only averaged 2.9 yards a carry. Running back LaMar Miller had 17 carries for 53 yards and Andre Ellington had three carries for six yards.

Grade: A-

Secondary

It was a long day for the defender opposite of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, as a mixture of cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Donate Johnson failed to contain the worldly talent. Johnson’s outing was so rough that he was benched in favor of Greg Mabin.

Asking Johnson to guard the fifth-year wide receiver was obviously too tall of an order. Hopkins popped off for 11 receptions with 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Rookie safety Adrian Colbert did have a supremely crucial play late in the 4th quarter when his hit on Hopkins forced a fumble. The 49ers took over after that and kicked a field goal to make it 26-16 with only 3:50 left in the game.

Grade: C+