49ers spurred by Texans: Rapid reactions

That was the most pathetic game played by the San Francisco 49ers this season. It was especially bad for the defense, which gave up five double-digit play drives (and one that had nine plays). The offense wasn't much better, either, and the 49ers fell 26-15.

Here are my rapid reactions. These are my live responses to the game as it unfolded. I hope you don't have a weak stomach, because it's ugly.

• Poor tackling by the defense on this first drive.
• The defense had trouble getting off the field on that opening 16-play drive by the Texans. But at least they only surrendered a field goal.
• Jauan Jennings just got called for a facemask penalty. What is going on with him? He can't seem to get things right.
• The 49ers' offense looked bad on their first drive. I hope that's not a sign of things to come.
• Great tackle by Siran Neal on the punt.
• The defense looks bad, too. This could be a long day.

• No pressure on the quarterback, and it's showing.
• Alfred Collins is hurt. The 49ers can't afford to lose him—or anyone else, for that matter.
• And now it's 13-0. The 49ers have shown no life so far.
• Why do you throw the ball short of the chains on 3rd down? I'll never understand that.

• Great tackle for loss by Ji'Ayir Brown.
• Upton Stout hurt his team with that holding penalty on 3rd down. Just horrible.

• The defense is getting picked apart by a no-name offense. Of course, the 49ers' defense is kind of a no-name defense, but still.
• Huge return by Brian Robinson to get the ball to midfield. Then there was a facemask penalty on top of it. The 49ers have a chance to score some points before halftime.

• What a catch by George Kittle. The 49ers are on the board. Texans still lead 16-7.

• Deommodore Lenoir breaks the interception drought, but there's no time on the clock to do anything with it. He probably should have gone down to give the 49ers a chance for a field goal, but that's a lot to ask of a player in that situation.

• The Texans ran 45 plays in the first half. That's something to watch in the second half with this thinning defense. The 49ers' offense needs to put together some long drives and give the defense a rest.
• Well, so much for that idea. I guess the running game isn't back.
• At least Thomas Morstead is playing well.
• So many missed tackles.
• This is a pathetic performance by the defense against a bad Texans offense.
• The one time there's a good push from the pass rush, and the secondary gives up a big touchdown. Brown got beaten there.

• Jennings with a horrible drop that might have put his team back in this game. At this point, I'd play Jordan Watkins. He can't be any worse.

• Wow, what a catch by Jennings.

• Jake Tonges scores the touchdown, and Demarcus Robinson converts on the two-point play. The 49ers are within eight points.

• The offense got the team back in it, but the defense looks overmatched today. This is shocking, because they're facing an offense that has been inept all season.
• Sam Okuayinonu is the 49ers' best pass rusher, and now he's hurt. Also, Dee Winters and Jordan Elliott are out of the game. Is this a bad dream? Because it seems unreal, at times.
• Watkins finally gets in the game, works his way open, and then drops the ball.
• Mac Jones underthrew that one, and it's picked. That will do it. This horrible game is about to come to an end.
• Watkins came down with his first NFL catch. It was meaningless to the game, but still good for him.

The 49ers suffered more injuries and looked like a bad team all the way around. They'll try to bounce back next week when they travel to the East Coast to take on the New York Giants. That will be a tougher game than it looked like before the season started.

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