Texans beat 49ers 26-15 as Stroud shines

The Houston Texans dominated the San Francisco 49ers 26-15 on Sunday at NRG Stadium, handing San Francisco its third loss of the season while improving to 3-4. Houston controlled the game from the outset, building a large first-half advantage and finishing with a commanding statistical edge in yardage, possession and play volume.

The Texans outgained the 49ers 475 yards to 223, ran 31 more plays and held the ball for 41 minutes, 22 seconds compared with San Francisco's 18:38. C.J. Stroud completed 30 of 39 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns, connecting on a 12-yard scoring pass to rookie Jayden Higgins and a 30-yard strike to Xavier Hutchinson. Kicker Kaimi Fairbairn added four field goals, and rookie Woody Marks rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries.

Houston's advantage was evident early. The Texans scored on their first four possessions and outgained San Francisco 299 to 65 in the first half. The 49ers managed only 14 plays and two first downs in that span, and their only first-half touchdown came with 25 seconds remaining on a 17-yard pass from Mac Jones to tight end George Kittle, set up by a long kickoff return by Brian Robinson Jr.

San Francisco started Mac Jones at...