Houston Texans (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
5:30 pm PST/8:30 pm CST
The defensive titans face off on what is sure to be a great Sunday night game--a must-win for both teams.
1. Matt Schaub (Virginia) is the "other" Texas quarterback. Three of his six interceptions in the past 3 straight games were all returned for TDs. The Texans' "fans" were caught burning his jersey, for Pete's sake. His teammates are in for the long haul with Schaub, even if the fans are not. The next couple of games are make or break for his 10-year career.
2. 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (Missouri) had a run-in with the law two weeks ago and walked away with a DUI and a stint in rehab. The length of his absence is undetermined.
3. The 49ers & Texans are both 2-2 and desperate to prove that they are worthy of last season's praise.
4. 49ers QB Kaepernick (Nevada) is completing just 58% of his passes so far, and the 49ers are 27th in passing yards. Yikes.
5. The stunning Texas defense, led by the manically awesome JJ Watt (Wisconsin), is number one in the league in yards allowed with 254.3. Coach Jim Harbaugh has been quoted as saying of Watt, "He can ruin a game." At the 2011 combine, Watt's vertical jump (37 inches) ranked second
among 57 defensive linemen and his broad jump (120 inches) was third. His 20 1/2 sacks matched the sixth-highest total in league history and
he led the Texans in tackles (81), tackles for loss (39), quarterback
hits (42), forced fumbles (four) and fumble recoveries (two). And after last week's humiliating loss to Seattle, he's pissed.
