49ers vs. Texans: 4 bold predictions for Week 17 contest

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Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Bold Prediction No. 2: Trey Lance finishes with a 100.0 passer rating

Even against a shoddy Texans defense, one might expect Trey Lance to go through some of the many growing pains first-year players experience.

He might occasionally sail a few passes, perhaps opening up the door for one of Houston’s few defensive strengths: intercepting balls. But, if Lance is able to capitalize on whatever growth he’s enjoyed since his last NFL start back in Week 5, paired with protecting the ball, it wouldn’t be completely out of the question to see him hit that notable 100.0 passer-rating plateau.

Here’s how.

Houston is already allowing 5.9 yards per play this season, tied for second worst in the league. This isn’t the kind of defensive opponent Lance faced way back against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.

On top of that, the 49ers are going to be about as fully healthy as possible on offense, meaning Lance will have a complement of receiving targets like tight end George Kittle, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and even Elijah Mitchell out of the backfield as a safety valve.

The Texans wholly lack the talent to cover those weapons, meaning all Lance has to do is trust his weapons to help him out, which they should do en route to a 100-plus passer rating.