49ers at Texans: Preview, prediction, odds and pick
By John Buhler
The Houston Texans will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon in Week 14. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and a final score prediction.
It will be Week 14 of the 2017 NFL regular season this weekend. One of the games going on early Sunday afternoon will be between the San Francisco 49ers (2-10) and the Houston Texans (4-8). Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 10. FOX will have the telecast with Dick Stockton and Mark Schlereth in the booth to call it.
San Francisco enters play at 2-10 on the year and eliminated from playoff contention in the NFC. That doesn’t really matter at this point, as head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are in lock step. Plus, they have their quarterback of the future in Jimmy Garoppolo. Look for the 49ers to try to win the rest of their games with Garoppolo under center to see what they have going heading into next year.
Houston enters play at 4-8 on the year and barely alive in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans have struggled mightily this season, especially when rookie franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his ACL over a month ago. Houston has to win out and get some luck along the way to have any hope of sneaking into the playoffs. It’s just not happening, as they will be eliminated from contention within the next week or so.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Houston -3
Moneylines: Houston -136, San Francisco +135
Over/Under: 43.5
According to OddsShark, the Texans will be laying three points at home to the visiting 49ers. The associated moneylines for this game are Houston -136 and San Francisco +135. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 43.5 points.
Since the Texans struggle on offense with Tom Savage at quarterback, let’s side with the slight under this game. It could get over the 43.5-point threshold, but this might be a game that just cracks 40 combined points.
It won’t be a field goal fest for Robbie Gould on Sunday. Garoppolo will throw for some touchdowns on Sunday afternoon versus the Texans. Neither of these teams are any good, but Garoppolo will offer more dynamism at the quarterback position over Savage in this one.
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Garoppolo orchestrates a game-winning drive with a brilliant touchdown pass late to lift the 49ers past the Texans. It won’t be a pretty game for San Francisco, but they will absolutely take the win over Houston knowing that Garoppolo is their guy going forward.
Pick: 49ers 23, Texans 17