Texans’ Lamar Miller prepping for increased workload – Chron.com

Texans quarterback Tom Savage will get another chance to curb his turnover problems when he faces the 49ers on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

SLIDESHOW: Scroll through to see John McClain’s preview of Sunday’s game.

TEXANS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

1. If the Texans play hard and stay competitive, they should be in position to beat the 49ers for their fifth win.

TEXANS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

2. Tom Savage needs to finally play a game in which he doesn’t throw an interception or lose a fumble on a strip sack.

TEXANS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

3. The defense has to be able to handle quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s making his second consecutive road start.

49ERS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

1. They need to establish a running game with Carlos Hyde to help take some pressure off quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

49ERS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

2. When they reach Texans’ territory, the 49ers need to score touchdowns and not rely on too many Robbie Gould field goals.

49ERS’ THREE KEYS TO VICTORY

3. They’ve been outscored 74-22 in the first quarter. They don’t want to fall too far behind and be forced to play catch-up.

49ERS’ RUSH OFFENSE VS. TEXANS’ RUSH DEFENSE

Carlos Hyde (693 yards) and Matt Breida (276) have combined for 969 yards for an offense that ranks 22nd in rushing (100.8). They spent a lot of money in free agency to sign fullback Kyle Juszcyk as a lead blocker. Hyde also is the Niners’ leading receiver with 52 catches but averages only 5.9 yards a catch. The 49ers have nine touchdowns rushing – the same number of touchdown passes they’ve thrown. The Texans’ run defense has slipped in the last two losses against Baltimore and Tennessee. They’ve given up too many long runs, including a 75-yarder to the Titans’ Derrick Henry late in the game. They still rank 10th against the run (104.8). For the first time since the first game of the season, they’ll have Brian Cushing back at inside linebacker. He was suspended for 10 games because he violated the league’s substance abuse policy. Even though he’ll be rusty, Cushing could help the run defense.

EDGE: Texans

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49ERS’ PASS OFFENSE VS. TEXANS’ PASS DEFENSE

Jimmy Garoppolo, acquired from New England for a second-round pick before the trade deadline, is making his second start. He helped the 49ers win 15-14 at Chicago. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, and he threw one interception. He’s poised and smart and is careful with the ball. His blockers will have to keep Jadeveon Clowney away from him the way Tennessee did. Garoppolo isn’t a runner, but he’s got the kind of pocket awareness that helps him avoid the rush and buy time for his receivers to get open. If he gets time to throw, he’ll look down the field, especially for Marquis Goodwin, who’s one of the league’s fastest receivers. The Texans’ pass defense has improved in the last two losses to the Ravens and Titans. They rank 22nd (235.8 yards), and they’re prone to big plays if the pass rushers don’t get consistent pressure.

EDGE: 49ers

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TEXANS’ RUSH OFFENSE VS. 49ERS’ RUSH DEFENSE

The running game has taken a plunge and shows no signs of recovery. The Texans were ranked among the top five, and now they’re 10th (117 yards a game). The offensive line can’t get a push up front. They’re especially weak when Lamar Miller tries to go outside. Most of the damage by Miller, who has 711 yards, is between the tackles. Losing quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back D’Onta Foreman took a big chunk of the running game to injured reserve. The 49ers are 29th against the run (123.9), but watch them shut down the Texans’ running game. They’ll focus on stopping Miller, and unless the Texans consistently throw the ball effectively, the 49ers will stack the box in running situations. Tom Savage may have to throw short passes to Miller and use them like running plays.

EDGE: 49ers

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TEXANS’ PASS OFFENSE VS. 49ERS’ PASS DEFENSE

The Texans have their best chance to win if Tom Savage plays like he did at Tennessee, where he threw for a career-best 365 yards and kept them in position to win until he threw an interception in the end zone with 1:10 left. He’s going to get hit a lot. The Ravens and Titans knocked him down 17 times in the last two games. The Texans are 16th in passing (231.9 yards). Bill O’Brien doesn’t want to throw the ball a lot, but he’ll have no choice if the running game can’t produce or if they fall behind early. DeAndre Hopkins, who has 77 catches for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns, should get help with the return to Will Fuller from a broken rib. Braxton Miller, who left the Tennessee game with a concussion, may be able to play. Keep an eye on tight end Stephen Anderson, who has a knack for getting open, especially on third down.

EDGE: Texans

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For the second consecutive home game, Tom Savage throws two touchdown passes to ignite a Texans’ victory. It’s the second time in six games the offense has scored more than one touchdown.

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