Jimmy G or Trey Lance? Oddsmakers Expect 49ers to Hammer Texans Regardless of Who Starts

After starting the season 3-5, the San Francisco 49ers have a shot to clinch a playoff birth this week when they host the Houston Texans as 12.5-point favorites at WynnBET Sportsbook with a total of 44.

As BetSided's Donnavan Smoot pointed out earlier this week, the 49ers would need to win, followed by a loss or tie by the New Orleans Saints against their division rival Carolina Panthers.

While the spread indicates that a victory is likely to occur, another number that has caught the attention of bettors this week: the 49ers team total

Following the Buccaneers (13-point favorites at the Jets), and the Bills (14.5-point favorites at home vs. the Falcons), the 49ers have the third highest implied team total on the board this week at 28.5; and that's despite not knowing who will be the starting quarterback!

Vegas Expects Either Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance to Score at Will

Considering that Lance has made only one career NFL start: a 10-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals back in Week 5; this is either a full support of the 49ers' offensive game plan; or a heavy damnation of a Houston Texans team that just stunned the L.A. Chargers in their home stadium last week.

My guess is it's more of the latter. Houston ranks 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards, and second-to-last in rushing touchdowns given up. The 49ers, known for their prowess in the running game and off play-action, are third in the NFL in rushing touchdowns and seventh in yardage.

Ultimately, the oddsmakers believe that regardless of whether Garoppolo or Lance plays, the 49ers will pound the rock against a Texans defense that's giving up 141.3 yards on the ground on average all season, while being tied for second-last in yards-per-play at 5.9. Only the Ravens are worse this year; averaging 6.1 yards-per-play on the defensive side of the ball.

Look for San Francisco to run it up on a Texans' defense that is ill-equipped to stop them on Sunday afternoon.