The San Francisco 49ers enter Week 8 riding momentum and sitting atop the NFC West at 5–2, but Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans isn’t one they can afford to take lightly. Houston’s defense has shown flashes of dominance and C.J. Stroud remains capable of big plays despite his recent struggles. For San Francisco, a win this weekend starts with sticking to their identity which means physical football, balanced offense, and situational execution.

Here are the three biggest keys to success for the 49ers this Sunday:

1. Control the Line of Scrimmage and the Clock

San Francisco’s offense runs through the trenches, and this week will be no different. With starting center Jake Brendel out, backup Matt Hennessy will be tasked with anchoring an offensive line that faces a Texans front led by Will Anderson Jr. and Maliek Collins. Winning early downs and keeping Mac Jones in manageable situations will be crucial.

Expect the 49ers to lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey (again), who continues to be the heartbeat of this offense. McCaffrey’s dual-threat ability can neutralize Houston’s pass rush, forcing their linebackers into coverage mismatches. Establishing long, sustained drives will also help San Francisco control time of possession, something they’ve excelled at during their best performances this season.

2. Own the “Middle Eight”

There is an importance commonly talked about amongst coaches of dominating the “middle eight”, the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second. That stretch often swings momentum and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Last week against Atlanta, the 49ers forced a key turnover right before halftime that flipped field position and momentum. Replicating that kind of situational awareness will be key against a Houston team that has struggled to finish halves cleanly. The Texans have committed costly penalties and time management errors in back-to-back games. These are areas San Francisco can exploit by staying aggressive with their blitz packages especially in these critical minutes.

3. Pressure C.J. Stroud and Force Mistakes

The 49ers’ defense has been lights out for much of the season, despite all the injuries. Curtis Robinson impressed in limited action last week, and he’ll need to keep communication sharp against a Texans offense that loves to spread the field should he play again this week. For San Francisco, the key lies in collapsing the pocket early and often. C.J. Stroud has been hit 14 times over his last three games, and when he’s forced off his spot, his accuracy drops significantly. Look for Bryce Huff and Sam Okuayinonu to be focal points of the pass rush, while the secondary, led by Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown, must stay disciplined against deep routes from Tank Dell and Nico Collins.

If the 49ers can generate consistent pressure and capitalize on Houston’s protection issues, turnovers will follow, which is always a difference maker in the game. Win the turnover margin, win the game.

Bottom Line

The 49ers have the talent advantage, but this matchup comes down to execution and discipline. They can’t afford to let Houston hang around. Win up front, dominate the middle eight, and keep C.J. Stroud uncomfortable. If San Francisco can do those three things, they should walk away with its sixth win of the season.