SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Texans' preseason slate opened with a 24-13 win over the 49ers in Santa Clara .
In the first quarter, on the second drive for San Francisco, Carlos Hyde was hit by Christian Covington with some help from Vince Wilfork. John Simon picked up the fumble and raced 41 yards for a Texans touchdown and a 7-0 lead
The 49ers answered right back when quarterback Blaine Gabbert connected 33 yards to former Rice Owl Vance McDonald to tie it at 7. The touchdown capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive.
Later in the first quarter on the Texans' second drive, quarterback Brock Osweiler was sacked by Ahmad Brooks. Osweiler finished 4-of-7 for 27 yards in his debut with the Texans.
The 49ers got it back and after a 44-yard run by Mike Davis, the 49ers settled for a Phil Dawson 25-yard field goal. They led it 13-7 at the half, outgaining the Texans 302-89.
In the third quarter, the Texans cut the deficit to 13-10 on a 45-yard field goal by rookie kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn.
When Osweiler exited the game in the second quarter, he was relieved by Tom Savage. In the third quarter Savage finished off a drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Stephen Anderson to put the Texans on top 17-13.
Then in the fourth quarter, Savage led the Texans on another scoring drive of 10 plays and 83 yards, capping it off with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Akeem Hunt that put the Texans ahead 24-13.
"We got a lot accomplished in practice. Our biggest goal was to get the operation right. Things we need to clean up but we got out of here healthy. It was good to get off to a good start with a win," head coach Bill O'Brien.
O'Brien was impressed with new running back, Lamar Miller.
"He's a good back and good vision. He understands all the runs we have. He can do it all. Good to get him a few carries and make sure he stayed healthy," O'Brien
"Was it completely what I wanted tonight? Absolutely not but rarely is it ever. The biggest thing about tonight is we did good things offensively and we know we have things we have to get better at and we'll do that this week in practice," Osweiler said. "We came out with a basic scheme but it's our job to come out and make plays. Bottom line is game plan is in and it's our job to execute it to the best of our abilities."
The Texans will fly back on their charter and arrive back in Houston at 3 a.m. They will take Monday off then resume practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting the New Orleans Saints for a joint workout on Thursday and preseason game Saturday.
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Here is the rest of the Texans' preseason schedule:
- Sat. Aug. 20 Saints at Texans 7 p.m.
- Sun. Aug. 28 Cardinals at Texans 3 p.m.
- Thu. Sep. 1 Texans at Cowboys 7 p.m.
The Texans open the regular season on Sept. 11 when they host the Chicago Bears at noon at NRG Stadium.