The San Francisco 49ers (5-2) and Houston Texans (2-4) meet in Week 8 NFL action on Sunday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast on FOX.
The Texans are 2-point favorites over the 49ers on the spread (Texans -2); the over/under is 41.5 points. Houston is a -135 moneyline favorite to win outright, while San Francisco is +115 to pull off the upset.
Can the Texans rebound against a surprising 49ers team? Find my Week 8 preview and 49ers vs Texans prediction below.
49ers vs Texans Prediction
- 49ers vs Texans pick: Texans Moneyline (-125)
My Texans vs. 49ers best bet is on Houston to win outright on the moneyline. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
49ers vs Texans Odds
| 49ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
49ers vs Texans Week 8 Preview
The Texans looked awful in their loss to the Seahawks on Monday night.
The Texans may not have wide receiver Nico Collins on Sunday due to a concussion, which isn't ideal, but I think this is a great spot for Houston with its season basically on the line against the 49ers.
I know the 49ers defense looked great against the Falcons. They produced an all-out max effort, and the opposing quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., was just off, missing a bunch of wide-open throws.
However, the 49ers defense is actually horrendous, especially in the absence of Fred Warner. They are a bottom-three unit in the league on paper, and they suffered even more injuries in their latest matchup.
San Francisco lost defensive end Bryce Huff, and it looks like it will also miss starting cornerback Renardo Green. The Niners defense already can't generate pressure. Without Nick Bosa, they're the lowest in the league by far.
What do they have going for them right now?
The most important factor in this spot is the fact that the 49ers are blitzing. Pressure is what's been killing C.J. Stroud and the Texans this season.
If you look at the Texans' games against teams that couldn't generate pressure, Stroud has looked fine. I expect the Texans to be able to move the ball against a frail 49ers defensive unit.
The Texans defense, on the contrary, is still among the best in the league, and they're at full strength.
San Francisco has one of the worst rushing offenses in the league to date despite the presence of Christian McCaffrey, and the Texans have the best schedule-adjusted pass defense in the league. They're a bit vulnerable to explosives at times, but that's not the 49ers' game.
Mac Jones will likely be the 49ers' starting quarterback again; he has three touchdowns and four interceptions over his past four starts while facing a laughably easy schedule of opposing defenses.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves a ton credit for getting this team to 5-2 despite all the injuries, but they are 4-1 in one-possession games, and we can list the plays that could have swung things in a different direction against the Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks.
The Texans have a stingy defense, allowing 14.7 PPG on the season. In San Francisco’s last nine games when facing a defense allowing 17 PPG or less, the 49ers are 1-8 ATS.
49ers vs Texans Prediction, Betting Analysis
Regardless of whether Nico Collins or Christian Kirk play for the Texans, the 49ers’ inability to generate pressure on defense should help Stroud do enough to get Houston over the hump.
The 49ers defense and Texans offense are both awful. The real difference-maker in this matchup will likely be Houston's defense, which will be the best unit on the field by a good margin.
I think we'll see the Texans get the job done on the back of their defense.
Pick: Texans Moneyline (-125)
Spread
I prefer the Texans moneyline in this spot as opposed to laying the points.
Moneyline
My Texans vs 49ers betting prediction is on Houston moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm not betting either side of the total in this matchup.
