This has already been a very tumultuous season for both the Niners and Texans, but for different reasons. The San Francisco 49ers have been dealing with a slew of injuries to keep players and have not been able to create consistency at multiple positions. However, the Texans have failed to live up to expectations after reaching the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

There isn't one specific reason why the Texans are currently 2-4. Head coach DeMeco Ryans explained that Houston has not been playing well as a whole.

“Today, it wasn't a good day for our entire team. It's not just one side. All three phases did not do a great job today,” Ryans said in a press conference after the Texans’ 27-19 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. “We didn't play winning football. We can't expect to come out with the win when you don't do the things that winning teams do.”

Though they might have struggled in all three phases of the game last Monday, a common theme in Houston's losses has been a weak showing from the offense. In the four matchups they have lost, the Texans are averaging 14.3 points per game, which would be the second-worst mark in the NFL over the span of a 17-game season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been shouldering the blame for the offense's issues this year.

“First, I got to point to myself and missing a couple throws. I got to work through the pressure,” Stroud said after the loss to Seattle. “I just think we just didn't catch a rhythm… It starts with me, and I've got to do a better job of distributing the ball.”

Thankfully for H-Town, they're on a short week and will be able to put that stinker against the Seahawks behind them if they can pull off a win against the 49ers.

“We are what our record says we are. We got another opportunity. It doesn't matter. We got another opportunity coming next week. Short week. It doesn't matter,” Ryans said. ”We’ve got to flush this. We've got to move on and get ready for the next one.”

The 5-2 San Francisco 49ers have not had the same problems that the Texans have had through the first seven weeks of the campaign. Though they have been dealing with injuries to numerous impactful players, they've still found ways to win games.

“I've been proud of all the guys just overcoming a lot of stuff,” said Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan after the team’s Week Seven win over the Atlanta Falcons. “I mean, offense - when we went through that stretch without (George) Kittle - it was nice to get him back today. Just the wideouts being banged up all year… And how Mac (Jones) has stepped it up with Brock (Purdy) being out. The amount of defensive guys today who stepped it up… Just real proud of our whole roster and all the guys that have stepped up throughout this year so far.”

The 49ers' recent success can be partially attributed to the defense, which is seventh in points allowed per game despite the absence of former All-Pros like defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner.

"These young men, I know it's a young group, but they're all excited,” explained San Fran defensive coordinator Robert Saleh while speaking to the media on Thursday. “I thought Kyle (Shanahan) did a great job with messaging last week, and it's a tremendous opportunity for everyone… There's always an opportunity for somebody to step into the shoes that have been here for a while, and I thought our guys did a great job taking advantage of their opportunities on Sunday night.”

At the moment, it sounds like backup quarterback Mac Jones will once again be starting in place of Brock Purdy, who is battling a toe injury. This might end up being Jones' toughest test of the season since Houston comes into this game with the league's top-ranked scoring defense.

“They're really, really good. [The] top defense in the league. Great front, great linebackers, and a really solid secondary,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. “They play together. They've played a lot of football together, to be honest. Really talented group. Well coached, and [we] definitely have a big challenge on Sunday.”

Prediction for San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans (-2)

Considering how bad Houston's offense has been against teams with winning records, it feels like the Texans will once again struggle to put points on the board. After all, San Fran held the Falcons to just ten points, and they have much better offensive weapons than Houston. Not only do the 49ers cover the spread, but they win this game outright.

Prediction: 49ers 22 - 18 Texans

How to watch San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans (-2)

49ers @ Texans starts at 1:00 p.m. EDT at NRG Stadium. You can watch it on Fox or stream it via the Fox Sports app or YouTube TV.

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