NFL fans have been aching for the regular season to start already. This season, two teams are also aching and not just for wins, but from the latest subtractions in their respective rosters as well.
The San Francisco 49ers took another devastating blow with the release of their star pass rusher Aldon Smith, while Arian Foster went down with another injury, leaving the Houston Texans’ running game in shambles. Who amongst these two clubs will muster enough depth and talent to claim a victory on Saturday? Find out more with our preview below.
Don’t miss out on the rest of the NFL preseason action this weekend. Check out our coverage on another Saturday game in Chiefs vs. Cardinals and Sunday’s lone marquee matchup of Colts vs. Eagles.
[sc:Football ]San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans Preview
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston
When: Saturday, August 15, 8:00 PM ET
Line: San Francisco 49ers (+3) vs. Houston Texans (-3); Total: 35.5– view all NFL lines
Betting on the San Francisco 49ers
As if the San Francisco 49ers’ roster couldn’t get any bleaker, the arrest of stud linebacker Aldon Smith may have just put the final nail in the Niners’ coffin for this season even before it kicks off. Still, first-year head coach Jim Tomsula is quite optimistic that his team can still turn heads with apparent veteran talent across the board.
[sc:NFL240banner ]One such key player that the 49ers are glad to have back in the starting lineup is NaVorro Bowman. The two-time Pro Bowl selection was coming off a monstrous 2013 campaign, but tore his ACL and MCL during the NFC championship game against the Saints. Now back after missing all of 2014, Bowman will get his first crack at real action this Saturday in hopes of being the steadying force in San Francisco’s front seven.
The defensive woes of the Niners can also be found in their secondary. With Tramaine Brock as the only lock at one of the starting spots at cornerback, five-year veterans Shareece Wright and Chris Cook will have to duke it out with young’uns Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser for the vacant slot. Defensive lineman Tank Carradine and first-round pick Arik Armstead will also battle it out to fill the void that was left by Justin Smith.
If San Francisco truly wants to get back into the title hunt, it must be re-committed to the running game. Last season was the first and only instance during former head coach Jim Harbaugh’s stint that the team had more pass attempts for the season than rushing. Still, the Niners finished fourth in the league in rushing yards, ultimately proving that power-running will still be the team’s best shot at winning ball games.
However, the loss of Frank Gore – the Bay Area franchise’s all-time leading rusher – puts the ground attack in a peculiar position. The good news is that Gore’s backup from last season in Carlos Hyde showed lots of promise with his 333 yards and four touchdowns in just 83 carries. Both Hyde and offseason pick-up Reggie Bush should share equal touches this preseason to test how this new backfield tandem will work out.
Keep close tabs on former National Rugby League All-Star Jarryd Hayne’s debut on Saturday as well. Hayne has shown some flashes of potential as a receiver and ground-runner during minicamp, but his first real test of playing in the NFL this weekend will determine if he’s truly meant to make the cut, even if just as a kick returner on special teams. Furthermore, quarterback Colin Kaepernick certainly needs another able body like Hayne as a viable weapon in San Francisco’s offense.
Tired of the barren offseason just as the Niners are with their continuously depleting lineup? Create a betting account now to start betting on the NFL preseason matches to get you geared up for the regular season.
Betting on the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans don’t really need a whole lot to work on in their defense, especially with the addition of hefty Vince Wilfork to the D-line and the return of the last year’s No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. But that Houston offense, though? Well…
Here’s the thing: the Texans had a rather decent offensive roster prior to the preseason, but their best player on that side of the ball, running back Arian Foster, just went down yet again (this time due to a groin injury). With no feature back to carry the majority of the load on offense, Houston just recently swung and missed at grabbing free agent Pierre Thomas in hopes of finding a suitable replacement.
That failed bid for Thomas now leaves the team with a bunch of unproven backs set to fight over Foster’s role as the main man in the backfield. Just take a look at the names of the running backs left in Houston’s depth chart: Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and Kenny Hilliard. Do any of them sound appealing or remotely familiar to you? Didn’t think so.
Out of this underwhelming list of backs, Blue seems to be the prime choice to fill Foster’s void for now. The former LSU product played all 16 games last season for the Texans in his rookie year, but only tallied 528 yards at a disheartening 3.1 yards per carry. Blue should put on consistent, high-level performances this entire postseason to take away pressure from the team’s quarterback.
“Team’s quarterback” is also the proper term to use right now, as neither Brian Hoyer nor Ryan Mallett have stepped up at securing the starting gig under center. Heck, head coach Bill O’Brien hasn’t even decided yet as for who will start in Saturday’s opening preseason game.
Regardless of who gets the starting nod, newly-acquired wideouts Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington should get a lot reps this preseason to feel out the passing game before the regular season starts. Well, the entire Texans receiving corps itself would have to do a lot of the dirty work, as Houston’s middling quarterback controversy and its shoddy selection of running backs are enigmas that have yet to fully unravel.
Writer’s Prediction
The 49ers show enough past experience to eke out a win in Houston, 20-14.
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