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

49ers Special Teams/Coaching Grades

Special Teams 

There isn’t much to say about the return game, which will be in desperate need for an upgrade this offseason, but the coverage unit did a lot better this game and didn’t give up too much in field position.

Mitch Wishnowsky punted perfectly fine, while Robbie Gould hit all three field goals and two extra-point attempts.

Grade: B-

Coaching

Kyle Shanahan was entirely too conservative early on with his play-calling, and as a result, you could see Trey Lance was not getting into any sort of rhythm early. Add the running game not taking off as well as some stops on fourth down and it wasn’t too surprising (but still frustrating) to be behind 7-3 at the half.

To his credit, Shanahan adjusted afterwards. Lance had more throws and looked much better, and the running game opened up more as a result due to the Texans needing to respect the passing game more.

Not Shanahan’s best performance by any means, but in the end, a comfortable victory.

DeMeco Ryans can’t complain about too much. He probably didn’t get as many sacks as he thought the defense should and the cornerback situation is still a mess, but he held the Texans to seven points and that’s going to win most games.

True enough the Texans aren’t an elite opponent, but they showed in the last fortnight they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Grade: B+