Texans @ 49ers
Final Score: 49ers 23, Texans 7
Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)
I’m going to venture a guess and say the eyes on this game were not present to watch the Texans, and maybe more that didn’t even really want to watch the 49ers. It seemed pretty clear, everyone wanted to tune in to see what Trey Lance could do in his 2nd career start. He did not disappoint. It is abundantly clear that he has plenty to work on, but he shows a lot of promise for his limited opportunity. Kyle Shanahan didn’t do much to change the system unlike Lance’s previous start so there were a lot of play-action rollouts, FB passes in the flats and wheels, occasional deep shots to Deebo Samuel. We even got an interception to a linebacker. For fantasy managers, we also got to see what happens when Brandon Aiyuk gets a QB that knows how to target him when he gets open.
As for the Texans, they played with a lot of fire. They were hitting the line and lighting up ball carriers and never let Lance get free runs to the outside. On offense, they were far too conservative, but when called upon, Brandin Cooks made 49ers DBs pay. Rex Burkhead played faster than I’ve ever seen Burkhead play. Davis Mills was solid when given the opportunity. It never felt out of reach for them. This team is really playing hard for David Culley, who as of the conclusion to the game, is expected to be brought back by the Texans. I’m glad knowing they have something to celebrate after a defeat, 49ers 23, Texans 7.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
Davis Mills: 21/32, 163 yards, TD, INT | 1 carry, 4 yards
Davis Mills wasn’t really asked to do much. Most of his drop-backs were out of his hand within 1.5 seconds and those that weren’t were dump-offs or screens. When he was asked to move the sticks, the results were less than stellar. He got better in the 2nd half, but he was moved off his spot all day. He had two beautiful throws to Cooks on their scoring drive, but outside of that, it was between unimpressive and solid at best. It was a big ask for Mills to do too much with the pressure he faced and the ultra-conservative game plan.
Every game Davis Mills has a number of throws that show flashes of his potential.
What a dime to Brandin Cooks on 3rd down.
pic.twitter.com/PS8UHj7ps1— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 2, 2022
Running Backs
Rex Burkhead: 16 carries, 47 yards | 6 targets, 6 receptions, 32 yards
Royce Freeman: 6 carries, 25 yards | 1 target
Jaylen Samuels : 3 carries, 7 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 14 yards
Rex Burkhead was heavily involved in the game plan, starting the game with six consecutive touches. It also resulted in two consecutive 3-and-outs, so it’s not all gold. He was 2nd on the team in targets and his 16 carries had far more energy than those of Jaylen Samuels or Royce Freeman who were just fill-ins for Burkhead when he came out to rest. It was clear to see that last week’s big game was not a fluke, but in this one, the 49ers just had a better line and a better scheme.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Brandin Cooks: 11 targets, 7 receptions, 66 yards, TD
Nico Collins: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yards
Chris Conley: 2 targets, 1 reception, -2 yards | 1 carry, 3 yards
Brevin Jordan: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Pharaoh Brown:1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
This group is Brandin Cooks and everyone else. Not only did he have the targets, the touchdowns, the yards, and the connection with Mills, he also had the best catch of the game. Sadly, it was negated by penalty.
Amazing catch by Cooks. Real shame it gets called back. They need to somehow find a way to keep him. pic.twitter.com/jkFnSIf0xx
— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
There is definitely a connection here as Mills and Cooks had great timing. The fades are where they need to land, and the tight windows are hitting the correct shoulder at the perfect time. If the Texans lose Cooks, they could end up losing Mills in the process if they don’t find someone to fill that void.
Mills and Cooks really do have a good connection. Love the touch and on a big 3rd down. They did not attack this secondary enough. pic.twitter.com/ZdwcdSKwce
— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
Cooks had a shot at three different corners and burnt them all. If the coaching staff had figured out a way to manufacture an extra second or two for Mills, Cooks would have gone well over 100.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Trey Lance: 16/23, 249 yards, 2 TD, INT | 8 carries, 31 yards
It’s incredibly clear that Trey Lance has a lot to work on. He still throws an ugly ball at times, can overthrow into the ground, and his interception was caused by being locked onto the primary target and not seeing a wide-open Deebo Samuel downfield for a walk-in TD. That said, he showed a lot of good signs for just his 2nd career start. He has an absolute cannon for an arm and can fit it into tight spots. His vision while scrambling made it look like that of a tenured vet. He ran well, but his biggest play, a three yard TD, was negated by a holding call which would have propelled him to a top five fantasy finish. Overall, there were ups and downs, but 49ers fans have a lot to look forward to in ’22 and beyond.
Love the hard sell by Lance and the filthy separation by Deebo. The PA was working when they needed it. pic.twitter.com/rHjcdEFJRM
— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell: 21 carries, 119 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards, TD
Kyle Juszczyk: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards
JaMycal Hasty: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Elijah Mitchell is maddening because you see all the almost impossible speed cuts and the big runs, but you also see the missed assignments and missed gaps because he’s not seeing the blocking leverage. Like Lance, it’s impressive what’s he done in his limited opportunity, looking far beyond what he should for a 6th round pick. Like Lance, he lost some big rushing yards to penalties but ran solidly all day. He failed to pick up a 4th early in the game, but later helped seal the game with two big runs. His involvement in the passing game looks iffy because of how they use Kyle Juszczyk so heavily in that regard, but Kyle Shanahan went away from running Lance outside in the second half in favor of that going exclusively to Mitchell. This most likely had more to do with Lance taking big hits, but it’s at least good to know going forward that his job is secure. It’s also worth noting his post-snap movement and location were perfect in this game, not missing a single handoff side or play-action assignment, promising stuff!
Yessssirr @EliMitch15 for the score 🙌#HOUvsSF on CBS/49ers App pic.twitter.com/mlurEvgaXL
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 2, 2022
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 63 yards, TD | 7 carries, 19 yards
Brandon Aiyuk: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 94 yards
George Kittle: 2 targets, 1 reception, 29 yards | 1 carry, 6 yards
Jauan Jennings: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards
Trent Sherfield: 2 targets, 1 reception, 12 yards
Brandon Aiyuk is one of the strongest receivers in the NFL. If I need a contested catch, there is a very, VERY, short list of players ahead of him. His ability to shrug off contact and pick up big gains after the catch is another weapon in SF’s arsenal that will be further unlocked once Lance takes over for good.
Aiyuk is one of the strongest receivers in the league. There aren't many I would take over him for a contested catch.
Crazy how he just shrugs off tacklers at the catch point and hits the next gear.
Great tight window throw by Lance as well. pic.twitter.com/kxLqrjdOyl— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
Aiyuk may have caught bullets, but he also showed soft hands and concentration when securing the catch that would set up their field goal before the half. He also very nearly had a one-handed catch in the corner in the endzone on a beautiful pass from Lance, if he had use of his other hand, he may even have made it.
I agree. That's a great catch. pic.twitter.com/Uge0HpBree
— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
There might not be anyone better at creating downfield separation than Deebo Samuel. Though he showed off his inconsistent hands, he made up for it with his dominant feet. On their long TD connection, Lance sells a hard fake with a beautiful twist to the open pocket and hits Deebo downfield with him managing around 10 yards of separation. Deebo and Lance could have had astronomically good days however, had Lance not thrown a Jimmy Garoppolo Special to the LB after laser locking onto George Kittle. The release you see at the top of the video, is Deebo running wide open.
BALL MAGNET 😉@blaqbadger14 | 📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/XRacX1WmSb
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 2, 2022
Kittle had a quiet day to say the least. He blocked inline a lot more as Houston’s defense was generating hits and pressures at the line, but he did come up big on a 3rd and 12, making a leaping grab while being interfered with (called this time). It was his only touch outside of running a sweep.
That Kittle guy might be good. They should give him a look. pic.twitter.com/MyzhCszcpK
— Eat The Rich (@_Doombot12_) January 3, 2022
— Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)