By Matt Barrows, Vic Tafur and Devon Henderson

The Houston Texans jumped on the San Francisco 49ers early in an impressive bounce-back performance Sunday at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Texans’ 26-15 win was their first over San Francisco since 2009. 

After a disappointing offensive game last Monday against the Seattle Seahawks, the Texans and quarterback C.J. Stroud found more success against the 49ers. The Houston offense gained more yards in the first half against San Francisco than it did in the entire game against Seattle.

The Texans managed 299 total yards in Sunday’s explosive first half (compared to 254 total yards in the loss to Seattle), with Stroud throwing for 235 passing yards and a touchdown before halftime. For the day, Stroud completed 30 of 39 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. 

San Francisco quarterback Mac Jones finished with 177 total yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while former All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey managed 25 rushing yards on eight carries and 43 yards receiving.

A costly slow start for the 49ers

The 49ers gained 30 yards on their first three possessions. Blame that on a blazing first quarter for the Texans’ aggressive defense if you want, but San Francisco couldn’t overcome its slow start. McCaffrey was held to 25 yards rushing on eight carries and 4 yards on a single reception in the first half, and it seemed like Mac Jones was also standing in front of a bull rush on 3rd and long.

Jones did throw touchdown passes to George Kittle and Jake Tonges — the 49ers did, after all, invent National Tight Ends Day — to provide rare moments of hope. But the team was 3 of 8 on third down while the Texans converted 9 of 15.  — Vic Tafur, 49ers senior writer

Houston’s offense thrives despite missing players

The Texans were playing without their two top receivers in Nico Collins and Christian Kirk and still gained 469 yards of offense. That’s thanks in large part to their running backs, as Nick Chubb and Woody Marks combined for 114 yards rushing and 62 yards receiving.

Marks broke free on a 50-yard catch and run to set up the Texans’ second field goal and give them a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. He also had a 23-yard run later in the game and finished with 62 yards on 11 carries.

Combined with the 49ers’ injuries on the defensive line, the run game allowed Stroud to sit back in the pocket and complete 30 of 39 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 28 yards. — Tafur

Ongoing injury woes for the 49ers

The 49ers didn’t appear to suffer any gut-punch injuries like they have in previous weeks, but an already beat-up defensive line took several more hits against the Texans.

Rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins briefly left the game with what looked like an arm or shoulder issue. On the next series, Jordan Elliott left for good with an ankle injury. Elliott was one of the few 49ers defensive linemen who hasn’t been on the team’s practice report. Then, defensive end Sam Okuayinonu hobbled off the field with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Elliott and Okuayinonu have started the last five games. Meanwhile, Kalia Davis is playing with a broken hand, CJ West has a broken thumb, Mykel Williams has a wrist issue and Kevin Givens just returned from a pectoral injury.

Veterans Nick Bosa (ACL), Bryce Huff (hamstring) and Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) were unavailable Sunday in Houston. The defensive line’s medical issues contributed to the team’s struggles to pressure Stroud on Sunday and will likely inspire more calls for the 49ers to acquire a defensive lineman before the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline. — Matt Barrows, 49ers writer

Struggles in the San Francisco secondary

For the second time in three weeks, a backup wide-receiver corps had its way with the 49ers’ defense. Deommodore Lenoir’s interception along the right sideline just before halftime broke San Francisco’s drought in that category, one that had stretched nearly a full calendar year. Still, with a meager pass rush to contend with, Stroud threw for 318 yards, including 69 for Xavier Hutchinson and 63 for rookie Jaylin Noel. The Texans played without veteran receivers Collins (concussion) and Kirk (hamstring).

The outing was similar to the 49ers’ Week 6 loss in Tampa, in which little-known Buccaneers receivers Tez Johnson and Kam Johnson had big games. The 49ers only sacked Baker Mayfield once in that game. They had no sacks on Sunday. — Barrows

Special teams provide a small bright spot for 49ers

Sunday’s game was a rare outing in which the 49ers weren’t outplayed on special teams. In recent weeks, opponents have been directing kickoffs against the 49ers to Brian Robinson Jr., perhaps because he isn’t known for his speed. Robinson, however, had a respectable 30-yard return in the first quarter, then rumbled for 46 yards – a season high for San Francisco — at the end of the second quarter. That second return set up the offense for a quick touchdown before the end of the half.

Meanwhile, punter Thomas Morstead had his busiest, and perhaps his best, game of the season, including three punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Eddy Pineiro, who has yet to miss a field goal for San Francisco, did not have any attempts. — Barrows