The 49ers struggled on all fronts in their 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans and their PFF grades offer more detail on what went wrong.
The defense was on the field for a whopping 80 plays, which likely added to their inability to stop Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense. Stroud only was under pressure on 10 of his 42 dropbacks, even though 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh dialed up the highest blitz rate of the season (33.3 percent).
Stroud was very efficient when blitzed, completing 11 of his 13 attempts for 90 yards, a touchdown and a 121.2 passer rating. When the 49ers did not blitz, they only were able to get pressure on Stroud a meager three times over 28 plays.
Mac Jones only was blitzed on four of his 37 dropbacks, but the Texans' defense still was able to get substantial pressure on the play-caller. When kept clean, Jones completed 16 of his 22 attempts for 137 yards, two touchdowns and a 118.9 passer rating.
Here are more high and lowlights from the 49ers' loss to the Texans:
OFFENSE
Offensive Line
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Allowed pressures
LT Trent Williams — one sack, one hit and two hurries
LG Connor Colby (20 pass blocking snaps) — one hurry
LG Nick Zakelj (19 pass blocking snaps) — two hurries
C Matt Hennessy — one hit, one hurry
RG Dominick Puni — one hit, one hurry
RT Colton McKivitz — one hit, three hurries
While Williams did not have his best game in pass protection, the All Pro did have a season high run-blocking grade of 92.4.
Colby, who has had his ups and downs in pass blocking, shared snaps with Nick Zakelj, who also saw challenges in the pass game. Colby has allowed 20 pressures on the season which is tied for fourth-most of all guards while Puni has allowed 19.
Texans' Will Anderson was a one-man wrecking crew with seven QB pressures — one sack, two hits, and four hurries while facing the 49ers' offensive line.
The 49ers' receivers, along with the offensive line, could have helped Jones out a little more — Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Jordan Watkins, in his NFL debut, all were charged with drops.
Jones and Brock Purdy have thrown five interceptions combined this season when targeting Jennings, which is the most of any player in the league. After a career-best season by the wideout in 2024, the 49ers play-callers have a 40.1 passer rating when targeting Jennings through eight games.
DEFENSE
The 49ers' defense dialed blitzes more than they had all season, but only managed 10 pressures on Stroud over 80 plays.
Mykel Williams — two hurries
Dee Winters — two hurries
Malik Mustapha — one hurry
Ji’Ayir Brown — one hurry
Alfred Collins — one hit
Upton Stout — one hurry
Sam Okuayinonu — one hit
Trevis Gipson — one hurry
The defense also was charged with 10 missed tackles.
Ji’Ayir Brown — two missed
Upton Stout — two missed
Mykel Williams, Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and Chase Lucas all were charged with one missed tackle.
Coverage grades
The defense clearly is missing Fred Warner, who is elite in coverage in the middle of the field. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters have been more effective facing the run than in the passing game, allowing 109 yards combined.
Malik Mustapha (45.6) allowed three catches on four targets for 79 yards
Dee Winters (37.3) allowed seven catches on seven targets for 59 yards and a touchdown
Tatum Bethune (48.3) allowed a catch on his one target for 50 yards
Upton Stout (51.4) allowed seven catches on eight targets for 46 yards
Ji’Ayir Brown (49.1) allowed catches on all three targets for 42 yards
Deommodorre Lenoir (70.9) allowed four catches on six targets for 25 yards
Renardo Green (73.4) allowed two catches on four targets for 12 yards
Chase Lucas (28.9) allowed two catches on two targets for 10 yards
Run defense
Upton Stout’s 90.8 run defense grade was the highest on the team. The defensive back recorded three tackles and one stop. Ji’Ayir Brown’s two solo tackles, one assist and two stops gave him the second-highest run defense grade of 83.1.