The key is Jones beating the pass rush. The Houston defense is built around its front four getting pressure. Take that away and the 49ers can build long sustained drives and convert in the red zone against this defense. McCaffrey should have success on the ground, but could be limited in the air.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET, and the Texans are 2.5-point favorites, according to the latest 49ers vs. Texans odds. The over/under for total points scored is 42. The Texans are -134 money line favorites (risk $134 to win $100),

The Texans are without two of their top wide receivers, Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. Also out for Houston are offensive tackles Trent Brown (the cousin of 49ers rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins) and Jarrett Kingston (2024 sixth-round pick by the 49ers), defensive end Darrell Taylor, and quarterback Graham Mertz.

If the 49ers win Sunday in Houston, they’ll match their overall win total from last season and they’ll be alone atop the NFC West at 6-2.