Quarterback. Check.

The San Francisco 49ers found their QB in Jimmy and Santa Clara will never be the same. The young Mr. Garoppolo marched into Chicago and with the help of his trusty kicker Robbie Gould, the Niners beat the Bears, improving to 2-10, but most importantly, solidifying one of those bricks to build around for next season.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Houston Texans

Next up, the Jimmy show heads to Houston to take on the ailing and struggling Houston Texans, who are 4-8 and losing players left and right. We feel your pain Texans. We literally feel your pain.

Let’s take look:

• Let’s start with quarterback, because, well I think it’s obvious. Garoppolo finished the day 26-of-37 for 293 yards and an interception (which was not his fault). Here’s the thing. Jimmy G is the best QB we’ve seen in Santa Clara in a long time, which is no disrespect to my one of my favorite football players ever. Garoppolo has pocket presence, his footwork is great, he can read a defense and the field and make decisions, good decisions on the spot.

• The Niners were 10 of 18 on third downs, five of those caught by Trent Taylor. When is the last time that happened? He was 14-14 when targeting Taylor and Marquise Goodwin, so his communication with his receivers is good and only going to get better. It wasn’t perfect but it’s a major step in the right direction.

• Thank goodness for kicker Robbie Gould and his five FGs, because the red zone proved to be too much for the 49er offense.
• Part of the red zone issues were unnecessary penalties, which probably cost the Niners two TDs. The other part of that is the QB and the receivers getting more comfortable together. That will come.

• Jimmy and friends will be facing a Texans defense that has struggled without defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, to name a couple. Houston has not been immune to the NFL’s relentless injury bug this season. Houston ranks 28th in the league in points allowed, 20th in yards allowed and 22nd in passing yard allowed. Sounds like a good group to get comfortable against.

• On offense, Houston’s most devastating injury loss was that of rookie maybe phenom quarterback DeShaun Watson, who tore his ACL a few weeks back. He was gunning to have a pretty spectacular season up until that point. Enter Tom Savage, who has tried, but hasn’t exactly been a spark. His 2017 stat line is a completion percentage of 56.4, a QBR of 71.8, five touchdowns and six interceptions.

• Against the Titans the other day, six players left with injuries, including our old friend Bruce Ellington, Braxton Miller, and C.J. Fiedorowicz. That’s a lot of weapons for the already struggling Savage to be without, if they are indeed out on Sunday.

• The 49ers defense, who really played well against the Bears, should be able to capitalize on all that ails the Texans and bring pressure Savage, as his offense is depleted both in the air and on the ground. Running back Andre Ellington had to play in the slot the other day. Need I say more?

• Savage was sacked four times Sunday, while the Niners sacked Mitchell Trubisky twice. Elvis Dumervil and the newly acquired Cassius Marsh delivered those sacks and I expect them to do the same Sunday.

• Meanwhile, Reuben Foster just continues to dominate at inside linebacker. He was all over the field on Sunday and led the team with seven tackles.

• The 49ers defense should also be somewhat rested after playing half as much time on Sunday. That’s what a good offense does. It helps an overworked defense.

Game Prediction

The 49ers have momentum and that famous Kyle Shanahan offense is beginning to take shape. The defense should have no problem contending with Savage and the Houston offense so I’m giving the Niners the win. Garoppolo 4-0 as a starter? I say yes. Go Niners!

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Photo Credits:

• 49ers on Wikimedia Commonsby Sports Logos.Net
• Jimmy Garoppolo on field photographed by Tracy Sandler
• Jimmy Garoppolo at Press Conference photographed by Tracy Sandler
• Chicago Bears Logo on Wikimedia Commons by Chicago Bears
• Robbie Gould on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison
• Houston Texans on Wikimedia Commons by Houston Texans
• Trent Taylor on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison
• Marquise Goodwin photographed by Tracy Sandler
• JJ Watt on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Whitney Mercilus on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• J. Fieldorowicz on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beale
• Elvis Dumervil photographed by Tracy Sandler
• Reuben Foster photographed by Tracy Sandler
• Kyle Shanahan on Wikipedia by Thomson200