C.J. Stroud throws for over 300 yards, 2 TDs in win

With a 26-15 victory over the 49ers, the Texans move to 3-4 and improve to 2-1 at NRG Stadium in 2025.

The two-minute timeout added a second timeout for the 49ers, thus leading to a three-and-out for the Texans’ offense. Only 48 seconds are remaining on the clock, so it could be too little too late for the Niners to mount a comeback.

San Francisco needed a score, but on a pass intended for Juan Jennings, Kamari Lassiter jumped the pass to take it right inside the 1-yard line before the two-minute warning. With a few plays left, the Texans can close this game out and improve to 3-4.

Even though Houston couldn’t push it across the pylon, they settled for another easy 30-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn to make it an 11-point game.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Texans lead 23-15 over the 49ers. C.J. Stroud has 312 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Mac Jones and the 49ers offense needed a spark and they’ve got it at the right moment. San Francisco capped off its best drive of the afternoon with several key plays from the veteran quarterback winning downfield. In the red zone, Jones secure a 2-yard TD pass to Jake Tonges, which was followed up by a pass to Demarcus Robinson for the 2-point conversion to make it an 8-point game.

C.J. Stroud hits Xavier Hutchinson on a crossing route to secure a second TD pass on the afternoon, extending Houston’s lead in the third quarter to 23-7. The drive covers 94 yards in 12 plays. This is Stroud’s best performance of the regular season as he’s thrown for over 300 yards for the first time since 2024.

Wide receiver Braxton Berrios is questionable to return with a chest injury suffered following a first-down run.

Will Anderson Jr. might not have the sack, but a third-down pressure forced Mac Jones to miss a wide-open Christian McCaffery on third down. Outside of the touchdown drive that was set up by a great return from the 49ers’ special teams, it’s been all Houston offensively.

Entering Sunday, the 49ers were the only team in the league not to have an interception this season. C.J. Stroud tried to force a pass downfield to Jaylin Noel, but the pass was picked by Deommodore Lenoir, who returned it to midfield before time expired.

An 18-yard pass to Kendrick Bourne put San Francisco into the red zone for the first time all afternoon. Houston forced two stops, but Mac Jones connected with his go-to tight end on National Tight Ends Day for a 17-yard score, putting San Francisco on the board.

This has been a day to remember for C.J. Stroud, who is closing in on 300 yards to close out the first half. The more impressive part of his game has been the mobility to step up in the pocket and evade pressure. A third-down stop forced the Texans to settle for another field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn, but it’s 16-0 with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter.

Houston’s defense is putting on a show against Mac Jones and the 49ers offense. Jones completed a throw to Jauan Jennings on a third-and-10 and the 49ers were forced to punt for the third time in three drives. San Francisco has 30 yards on 10 plays.

The Texans, meanwhile, have 283 yards and are driving to close out the first half.

Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are making sure their playing time expands. The third-round pick out of Iowa State hauled in a 44-yard pass from C.J. Stroud to put Houston just outside of the red zone. Five plays later, following a Braxton Berrios first-down reception, Stroud found the other Cyclone receiver for a 12-yard touchdown reception, capping off a 10-play, 82-yard drive while extending Houston’s lead to 13.

Houston’s defense is making sure that if anyone beats it, it’ll be Mac Jones. That hasn’t happened since the Texans have basically made it impossible to connect with Christian McCaffery. Another third-down stop leads to another punt.

 A 34-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn to begin the second quarter doubled Houston’s lead to 6-0.

C.J. Stroud found Woody Mark in the flats for a 50-yard pickup, putting the Texans into San Francisco territory. Two runs by Nick Chubb picked up two more conversions and moved Houston inside the red zone. With a final play before the end of the quarter, Stroud found Xavier Hutchinson for a pickup of four.

After the first 15 minutes, Houston is outgaining San Francisco 138-18.

After a first-down conversion was called back because of a facemask penalty, San Francisco found itself in third-and-7. With an overthrown pass from quarterback Mac Jones, the 49ers were forced to punt.

Houston will have the ball inside the 12 to begin its second drive.

C.J. Stroud might have had the drive of the season regarding his status, going 7-of-9 for 48 yards and three third-down conversions. Without Nico Collins or Christian Kirk, the Texans turned to rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Higgins caught a pass for 6 yards while Noel picked up four. Meanwhile, Braxton Berrios caught two passes for 22 yards, including a first down pickup of 14 yards.

The inability to win on third-and-1 forced Houston to settle for a 33-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal. The good news? The Texans took off nearly 10 minutes from the clock, putting San Francisco in a position to rush offensively.

Kickoff is underway. The 49ers have won the toss and deferred to the second half. Houston will begin on offense.

Here’s a look at the Texans’ inactive list for Sunday’s contest against the 49ers at NRG Stadium.

Here’s a look at the 49ers’ inactive list for Sunday’s contest against the Texans at NRG Stadium.