Game Preview of San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans. Week 8 of 2025 NFL Season
SF
HOU
Game Preview
San Francisco brings a clean third-down offense and a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey. The pass-catcher room is thin with Brandon Aiyuk out and George Kittle on IR. Mac Jones is listed questionable, but if he goes, expect quick throws and screens to blunt Houston’s rush.
Houston’s offense has been choppy. C.J. Stroud is dealing with pressure and a long injury list at receiver. Nico Collins is questionable after a concussion, and several tight ends have been on and off the report. The Texans defense, though, is for real on money downs and can flip the field with takeaways.
This shapes up as a field position game with bursts of explosives. San Francisco’s strength is staying on schedule. Houston’s is knocking you off it. Whichever side controls third down likely controls the scoreboard.
Current Season Form
SF
AwayHOU
HomeHead-to-Head Summary
Past Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-20 | @ SEA | L 19-27 | L 3.0 | o41.5 |
| 2025-10-05 | @ BAL | W 44-10 | W +-2.5 | o41.5 |
| 2025-09-28 | vs TEN | W 26-0 | W +7.5 | u39.5 |
| 2025-09-21 | @ JAX | L 10-17 | L 1.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-09-15 | vs TB | L 19-20 | W +2.5 | u42.5 |
| 2025-09-07 | @ LAR | L 9-14 | L 3.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-01-18 | @ KC | L 14-23 | L 9.5 | u41.5 |
| 2025-01-11 | vs LAC | W 32-12 | W +-3.0 | o41.5 |
| 2025-01-05 | @ TEN | W 23-14 | W +2.5 | o36.5 |
| 2024-12-25 | vs BAL | L 2-31 | L -5.5 | u46.5 |
Key Insights
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SF’s offense ranks 97th percentile in third-down conversion (47.5%), but HOU’s defense ranks 86th percentile in third-down stops (64.9%). That is strength on strength.
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HOU allows explosive passes at a 9.0% rate (11th percentile on defense). Even with injuries, SF’s explosive pass rate is mid-pack at 7.4% and can test those seams.
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HOU’s offense converts only 31.6% on third down (6th percentile). SF’s defense ranks 81st percentile in third-down stop rate (64.6%), which can shorten Texans drives.
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SF’s pass rush finish is a weakness (pressure-to-sack 2.5%, 3rd percentile), hurt by edge injuries. That can give Stroud time if protection holds.
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Red zone could be tricky for both sides: SF’s red-zone TD rate is 47.8% (25th percentile), while HOU’s defense has allowed TDs on 66.7% of trips (14th percentile). Finishing drives is a swing factor.
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Multiple Questionables raise variance: for SF (Mac Jones, C Jake Brendel, several WRs) and for HOU (Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, OL pieces). Final inactives can change matchups.
Betting Insights
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Spread anchor: Texans -3.0 (+114). Plus money to lay a field goal. Remember the injury risk on both offenses increases variance.
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Total anchor: Over 42.5 (-106). The number is modest. One or two explosives plus short fields could push this over, but finishing drives has been volatile.
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Team totals: Texans O/U 20.5 (-123/-116). If Collins sits, lean caution on the over. San Francisco O/U 20.5 (+100/-122) with a similar red-zone cap profile.
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Christian McCaffrey over 66.5 rushing yards (-120). Volume plus game script edge if SF plays from ahead.
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Dalton Schultz over 40.5 receiving yards (-120). If Collins is limited, target share tilts to the tight end; note Schultz is Questionable.
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C.J. Stroud under 207.5 passing yards (-120). Houston’s third-down issues can suppress volume and yards.
Final Summary
Our anchors are Texans -3.0 at +114 and Over 42.5 at -106. Both positions carry clear risks. Houston’s offense has struggled to sustain drives. San Francisco’s receivers are beat up, and their red-zone rate is average.
If Mac Jones is active and the 49ers protect the interior, San Francisco can control tempo. If the Texans’ defense wins third down and Collins suits up, Houston has the edge at home.
Bet the numbers you have and respect the injury news. Juice is modest on the total and most props, but availability could swing the script.
Statistical Battle Boards
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 127 | #27 | 138 | #22 | |
| Total Points Per Game | 21.2 | #21 | 19.7 | #7 | |
| Total Touchdowns | 13 | #25 | 16 | #15 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | 9 | #23 | 11 | #20 | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 3 | #27 | 4 | #11 | |
| Other Touchdowns | 0 | #27 | 1 | #28 | |
| Total Kicking Points | 49 | #17 | 40 | #28 | |
| Total Two Point Conversions | 0 | #19 | 0 | #31 | |
| Kick Extra Points | 10 | #29 | 13 | #23 | |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Passing Yards | 1189 | #29 | 1516 | #14 | |
| Net Passing Yards Per Game | 198 | #23 | 217 | #15 | |
| Passer Rating | 90.7 | #18 | 101 | #9 | |
| Passing Attempts | 197 | #24 | 231 | #19 | |
| Completions | 127 | #24 | 152 | #14 | |
| Completion Percentage | 64.5 | #20 | 65.8 | #17 | |
| Passing 1st downs | 59 | #30 | 74 | #14 | |
| Passing 1st Down % | 51.1 | #26 | 53.0 | #11 | |
| Longest Pass | 50 | #24 | 45 | #27 | |
| Passing Fumbles Lost | 2 | #11 | 4 | #2 | |
| Receiving Targets | 191 | #23 | 225 | #10 | |
| Receptions | 127 | #24 | 152 | #19 | |
| Receiving Yards After Catch | 583 | #29 | 607 | #6 | |
| YAC Average | 4.6 | #24 | 3.9 | #3 | |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 637 | #27 | 706 | #13 | |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 106 | #18 | 101 | #21 | |
| Rushing Attempts | 150 | #26 | 178 | #21 | |
| Yards Per Rush Attempt | 4.2 | #18 | 4 | #22 | |
| Rushing 1st downs | 32 | #29 | 44 | #16 | |
| 20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 3 | #19 | 3 | #17 | |
| Long Rushing | 30 | #24 | 48 | #16 | |
| Rushing Fumbles | 3 | #19 | 3 | #17 | |
| Rushing Fumbles Lost | 0 | #20 | 1 | #15 | |
