Whose Hot and Cold after Week 8
The San Francisco 49ers lost a tough one to the Houston Texans. Some shined through while others did not.
National Tight Ends’ Day was the only thing that the Faithful could celebrate this week as the 49ers trip to Houston was a mostly effortless attempt at a football game. Let’s take a look at what’s hot and what’s not from week eight.
Hot
National Tight Ends Day festiveness
On an NFL holiday manifested into existence by George Kittle, the 49ers offense would honor the Tight End position by ensuring both of the team’s scores would be touchdown passes to Kittle and fellow tight end Jake Tonges.
Briana Jeannel’s Thumbs
The 49ers team reporter most certainly gets less rest than some of the players as she has spent an inordinate amount of time this season having to tweet out the absurd amount of injuries that the team has continued to amass. It’s clear she showed up to training camp on time and ready to go.
Brian Robinson
For the first 29 and a half minutes of the games, the 49ers appeared lifeless. Brian Robinson would give the team a fighting chance with a sensational kickoff return to the 50 yard line that would be accompanied by a 15 yard facemask penalty, setting up the teams for score. Sadly, the facemask penalty may have prevented a touchdown on the return.
Heating up
Interception-less no more
Just before the end of the first half, Deommodore Lenoir would end the 49ers 14 game streak without having recorded a defensive interception. Lenoir would then make an effort to return the pick before being tackled as time ran out, eliminating a chance for a field goal opportunity.
Cold
Pass Rush
After showing signs of hope against Atlanta last week, the 49ers defensive front was stonewalled by a much criticized Houston Offensive Line. The 49ers could get no consistent pressure, giving CJ Stroud all the time he needed to find open receivers. The Texans would be able to maintain extended drives that would effectively wear out the 49ers defense.
Drops
As good as he has been in relief of Brock Purdy, Mac Jones has been frustrated as he has had multiple missed opportunities over the past several weeks due to his receivers inability to catch the ball. Jauan Jennings was a repeat offender on Sunday, as well as rookie Jordan Watkins. Both would be in critical situations and both would hit the receivers in the hands before falling to the ground.
Injuries
Whoever the 49ers staffer is that is responsible for setting up the blue medical tent in game, they deserve a massive raise for their workload this season. Again on Sunday, the team would see several players, primarily on defense, exit the game. Jordan Elliot, Dee Winters, Alfred Collins, and Sam Okuayinonu would all see time in the tent as the 49ers continue to lose players at an alarming rate.