NFL: Week Seven – San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans
San Francisco 49ers (21) vs. Houston Texans (24)
This was another tale of two halves as the Texans ran out to a 21-0 halftime lead only to see the Niners battle back outscoring the Texans 21-3 in the second half. Matt Schaub completed 20 of 30 passes for a pair of touchdowns and Steve Slaton scored two touchdowns of his own in leading the Texans to their second straight win and third in four games. The big story coming out of this game, however, is Alex Smith.
The much-maligned Smith whose career in San Francisco was considered all but over after losing the starting job to Shaun Hill came off the bench in the second half to throw three touchdown passes in leading the Niners back to within three points in the second half. Smith completed 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards throwing the ball as well as he ever has during his career and looked every bit the quarterback who was the top pick in the draft five years ago. As a result it looks as though Hill’s days as the starter may be over as Smith has been named the starting quarterback for next Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.
I am not shocked at this development as the Niners have now lost 3 of their last 4 games and Hill had led the offense to just ten points in his last six quarters under center. Mike Singletary is seeing the season slowly slip away and he needs to do something to make the offense more dynamic when Frank Gore is not having his A-game.
The other major development in this game was Andre Johnson being taken to the hospital with an apparent chest injury. He has since been released and it is being reported that Johnson has a bruised lung. Fortunately for the Texans Owen Daniels stepped up and grabbed seven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
After starting the season 1-2 the Texans have climbed back into the playoff hunt with the Bills and Colts looming on the schedule prior to their bye in week 10.
News, Notes, and Observations
Vernon Davis set a career high with three touchdowns Sunday, his seven catches matched his career best, and his six touchdowns this season are a career high.
Schaub has completed at least 66.7% of his passes and thrown at least two touchdown passes in three straight games for the Texans.
Daniels 123 yards are a season high and he scored a touchdown for the second straight game.
Slaton scored two touchdowns in a game for the second time this season and has scored in three of the last four games for Houston.
Michael Crabtree caught 5 passes for 56 yards in his NFL debut Sunday.
