Trey Lance highlights 49ers position grades from win vs. Texans

49ers Defensive Grades

Defensive Line

Three sacks is probably slightly underwhelming, given the Texans didn’t have a fully fit offensive line, but similar to their offensive counterparts it was a case of wearing down Houston.

The longer the game went on the tougher it was for the Texans to move down the field, and a lot of that was to do with the more consistent pressure put on.

The running game of Houston, a positive talking point for them the last few weeks, was shut down from the beginning as well.

The most surprising part was how Nick Bosa was totally erased by the Texans, but given the win and how he’s performed all season we can forgive him a quiet game.

Grade: B

Linebackers

Fred Warner looked like the All-Pro from last year making a lot of key plays and pumping his teammates up on and off the field in a good performance.

Davis Mills wasn’t going to threaten downfield very often so it was important the linebackers stuck their tackles on the underneath throws, and for the most part they were successful.

Marcell Harris recorded the lone takeaway for the 49ers with an interception but was frankly bailed out by the refs when he fumbled the ball. The refs called forward progress which was frankly just not the right call.

But the linebackers in all did their job.

Grade: B+ 

Defensive Backs

It’s getting more and more frustrating every week to see countless pass interference flags flying whenever the opposing team tests the 49ers cornerbacks deep.

It seems to be a bad habit they can’t break out of, but not turning your head is going to be a flag.

Pure and simple.

Flags aside the defensive backs didn’t give up many big plays, although they were bailed out when they allowed a deep reception to a double-teamed receiver who was erased due to a holding call.

They weren’t tested a lot, however, and the deficiencies are still clear to see when they were.

Grade: C+