Week 5 SNF: Houston Texans (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

[RoundingThird]

With both teams needing a win to stay above .500, the Texans travel out west to face the Niners on Sunday Night Football. The Niners have had one of the league's toughest schedules this far, beating Green Bay at home, but losing to Indy at home, as well as losing in Seattle, but getting a blowout win last Thursday. The Texans have looked inconsistent so far. They could be sitting at 1-3 right now, if not for a ridiculous comeback in the opener against San Diego. A blowout loss at Baltimore and last week's OT loss to Seattle are their two blemishes as of now. Who has the edge?

[MasterShadic]

This is one of those games that could either go down to the wire, or end up being a blowout. Both of them are so inconsistent right now, it's nearly impossible to guess.

It certainly seems like it's a lose-lose game for both teams. If you win, people say the other teams is having an bad season anyways. If you lose, people a disappointed that you lost to a struggling team.

[The_Wise_One]

Foster finally looked like his old self and Shaub played lights out for 3 quarters against the Hawks secondary. JJ Watt is playing like a mad man. On the other side Kap looked more comfortable throwing the ball against St. Louis and the Niner defense will be ok without Aldon. I'll say 16-13 Niners in a defensive battle.

[Feared]

It feels like there's a lot of pressure on Schaub to perform in tight close games against upper level teams. Hopefully he ignores the detractors and just focuses on executing the Texans Offensive game plan, but you can't help but think it's in the back of his mind not to make any game killing mistakes. Especially considering he's thrown a pick 6 in three consecutive games.

It doesn't help he's going up against a very good 49ers D', they are without Aldon... but Justin Smith, Willis, Bowman are enough to drive fear into Offenses. Texans have a good Defense as well, and I foresee JJ Watt coming out ****ed, after what happened last week. It's hard to call, I'm leaning towards the 49ers because they are at Home and they seem to be on the upswing although beating the Rams isn't a great barometer of future success.

[TheMatrix31]

The offense has a lot to prove. They tore Seattle to shreds and dominated time of possession and still lost due to bonehead mistakes by Tate and Schaub.

[goh]

When in doubt go with the home team. But to some extent perhaps the 49ers are having trouble adjusting to the spotlight. I've not had to go out of my way to watch any of the first 4 games and won't have to for this one either. Stuff went bad during the second half last week. Thought they got the run game going but who knows now. No WRs so they'd better get it going.

[NinerFan1983]

The lack of a #2 receiver, along with the spotty play in the trenches is what is really hurting this team more than anything right now.

I had been hearing about Jonathan Baldwin putting in some extra work with Colin Kaepernick, so hopefully this ends up taking some of the pressure off of Boldin in the passing game.

[goh]

I think it's the non-sense plays. Pointed it out last week that soon as they tried non-sense the drive stalled.