Houston Texans Shock San Francisco 49ers In Week 8: C.J. Stroud Leads Houston To 26–15 Upset
The Houston Texans had a commanding 26–15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8, which is shaking up expectations and showcasing a team that’s clearly on the rise. Entering the game, San Francisco held a strong 5–2 record and looked like a top-tier NFC contender. Houston came in at 2–4, still searching for rhythm under Head Coach DeMeco Ryans. And it looks like the Texans found it. They flipped the narrative, outplaying the 49ers in nearly every phase and improving to 3–4 on the season.
Houston Texans Dominate
Houston’s offense was led by Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who delivered one of his most efficient performances of the year. He completed 30 of 39 passes for a season-high 318 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball across nine different targets. Receivers Xavier Hutchinson and rookie Jayden Higgins each found the end zone. Hutchinson on a 30-yard strike in the third quarter, Higgins on a 12-yard score in the second. Though the Texans struggled to convert red zone opportunities, going just 1-for-5, Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn kept the scoreboard moving with four successful field goals from 30, 33, 34, and 37 yards.
The Texans were the stat sheet kings, finishing with 475 total yards, a little over 50% more than San Francisco’s 223 total yards. They ran 75 offensive plays to the 49ers’ 44 and controlled the clock with 41:22 of possession. Houston’s offense mixed short passes with a steady run game led by rookie Woody Marks, who added 62 rushing yards on 11 carries. The Texans didn’t punt until the final five minutes, a testament to their sustained offensive pressure.
49ers Had No Answers
San Francisco’s offense struggled to find consistency. Quarterback Mac Jones completed 19 of 32 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns—one to George Kittle and another to Jake Tonges. He also connected with Demarcus Robinson for a successful two-point conversion. What stalled the 49ers’ momentum? Kamari Lassiter, with his late-game interception, and their limited ability to complete that third down (3-for-11). Running Back Christian McCaffrey was held to just 25 rushing yards on eight carries, as Houston’s front seven played disciplined football and kept him contained.
Injuries continued to be a concern for the 49ers. Quarterback Brock Purdy and Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall were ruled out before the game with toe and knee injuries, respectively. Linebacker Fred Warner missed the game due to a fractured ankle, and during the contest, both Dee Winters and Sam Okuayinonu exited with knee injuries. With a defense that was already missing key players, San Francisco had to put their faith in backup pass rushers and rotational players. Houston, meanwhile, was without Wide Receivers Nico Collins (concussion) and Christian Kirk (hamstring), but rookies Higgins and Marks stepped up and filled the void effectively.
Final Thoughts
Houston’s win is a turning point for them. They executed a smart, balanced game plan and showed they can compete with top-tier teams when they play clean football. If they can improve their red zone efficiency, they’ll be a serious contender in the AFC South. For the 49ers, the loss highlighted some troubling trends. Their defense is stretched thin, and their offense lacks rhythm when the run game is neutralized. Jones showed flashes, but without support from the ground game or a fully healthy defense, San Francisco’s margin for error is shrinking.
Looking ahead, the Texans will remain at home in Week 9 with a chance to reach .500 and build on their momentum. The 49ers return to Levi’s Stadium hoping to regroup and avoid a midseason slide. Week 8 served as a reminder that depth, discipline, and execution can outshine star power—and Houston brought all three.
