The San Francisco 49ers are looking like a playoff team this season. It's no wonder why they are 5-2 and in first place of the NFC West.
Despite a glaring list of injuries and setbacks that are preventing star players from returning to the field, the five-time Super Bowl champions are on pace to capture a sixth.
San Francisco travels to Houston to play an AFC team with a familiar face at the helm in head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans coach was a defensive coordinator for the Niners in 2021 and 2022 before Robert Saleh took over the position for second time.
Texans could pull off a potential upset against 49ers
After having one of the best seasons ever seen by a rookie head coach and quarterback pairing, Ryans and CJ Stroud shocked the NFL world and made the playoffs together. They did so again last year, winning the AFC South for the second time in a row.
Will Anderson, also selected by the Texans in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been a defensive standout for Ryans. This season, Anderson has put himself on the same level as JJ Watt and Mario Williams with more than 100 tackles in his first 35 NFL games with Houston.
Can't stop him. pic.twitter.com/riwb6cvBl5
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 23, 2025
With nine touchdowns and only four interceptions on the season, Stroud's not exactly the reason why his team is 2-4. However, the 49ers backup quarterback, Mac Jones, is a huge part of why San Francisco is 5-2.
Last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones had a two-touchdown performance and his second highest quarterback rating of the season against the Texans. Yet, his team lost 23-20 against Houston.
Even if Brock Purdy starts instead of Jones, the $265 million quarterback has just many picks as Jones (four) but in nearly a third of the games.
Houston's defense is as good as San Francisco's
The Texans allow the fourth-fewest yards in the league with just 274.2 per game. The Niners' next opponent is tied for the sixth most defensive interceptions with seven.
This could be problematic should Jones (or Purdy) struggle.
Fortunately for San Francisco's offensive line, Houston's defense has only recorded 14 sacks in six games. But, the 49ers have even less with just nine in seven games.
In addition, the Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair can be an impact player in Sunday's game. The former San Francisco linebacker has one forced fumble and 38 total tackles in 2025.
As a whole, points might come scarce for the 49ers as they are facing the stingiest defense in the NFL. Houston gives up a league-low 14.7 points per game. San Francisco's defense is almost as good with the seventh-stingiest defense, 19.7 points per game.
The 49ers are blessed to have a dual-threat on offense in running back Christian McCaffrey. He has 465 yards rushing and over 500 receiving yards in 2025 to go with six total touchdowns (three via run and three via catch).
If the NFC West leaders are not careful, Sunday's game against the Texans could be the upset to do more than just bring the 49ers back down to earth.