NFL Week 17 Preview: Can Davis Mills’ Houston Texans Defy Odds vs San Francisco 49ers?
The Houston Texans want to extend their winning streak to three and play their penultimate game of the season this Sunday in the playoffs of the San Francisco 49ers.
And despite the fact that they just play out of pride, according to Texan’s security Justin Reid, the motivation is as strong as ever: “We’re trying to be the Grinch who goes there and will steal San Francisco’s Christmas”.
RECORDS: Texans (4-11), 49ers (8-7)
OPPORTUNITIES: Ouch. The Texans are 12.5 points underdog, the over / under is 43.5 (Pro SI Sportsbook).
STAT: The Texans faced fewer opponents than the 49ers. San Francisco currently leads the series 3-1. Houston’s only win came back in 2009 when Matt Schaub passed for 264 yards and two touchdowns while Steve Slaton and Owen Daniels led the Texans in rushing and receiving, respectively.
This is the first duel between these teams since 2017, when the 49ers won 26-16.
SIDE FACT: The Texans have returned to near full strength since last week’s 41-29 win over the LA Chargers. Sixteen players have been activated from the COVID-19 / reserve list this week, including star wide receiver Brandin Cooks, starting center Justin Britt and defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who sacks Houston at the top.
Left guard Lane Taylor, defensive linemen Roy Lopez, Maliek Collins, Derek Rivers, Jaleel Johnson, Jordan Jenkins, linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill, Eric Wilson and Neville Hewitt, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and security guards Eric Murray and AJ Moore were also there activated. Cre’Von LeBlanc, cornerback of the training team, also returned.
Houston, however, has lost wide receivers Danny Amendola, Chris Moore and defensive end Ron’Dell Carter to the COVID protocol.
In the meantime, Receiver Phillip Dorsett and Center Cole Toner have been placed in the injured reserve.
Keep an eye out: With quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo struggling with an injury, Trey Lance is likely to start for San Francisco. If so, it will be the battle of the rookie quarterbacks: Lance (third overall pick) vs. Davis Mills (third round pick).
Lance has only played five times and started only once this season. He lost 25 of 48 for 354 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Lance hasn’t played since Week 11 and hasn’t started since losing to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
Mills has played 11 games, starting nine and 219 out of 329 for 2,200 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. As Houston’s starter in the last three games, Mills went 2-1, passing for 794 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
HOUSTON’S KEY TO VICTORY: More of the same.
Last week’s surprise win wasn’t particularly groundbreaking. The Texans simply implemented the basics more effectively. Rex Burkhead was able to get the running game going thanks to consistent blocking from a makeshift offensive line. Combine that with Mills’ efficiency in passing and the offense finally clicks.
The hope is that there won’t be a hangover from last week and that they can hold the momentum through the end of the season and finish at a high.
PLAY TIME: 3:05 PM CT, Sunday January 2
POSITION: Levi’s Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
TV / RADIO: CBS, KHOU, Sports Radio 610, 100.3 The Bull, Mega 101 FM
THE LAST WORD: Win or lose when the Texans can see another solid performance from their rookies then fans have reason to be optimistic. Mills along with receiver Nico Collins, tight end Brevin Jordan, defensive tackle Roy Lopez and linebacker Garret Wallow have all impressed this year and look like building blocks that move forward.
