The San Francisco 49ers’ running game finally showed signs of life in Week 7, erupting for 174 yards on 39 carries in a 20-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Christian McCaffrey, the team’s star running back, led the charge with a season-high 129 yards at an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. The offensive line clicked, and the return of George Kittle, arguably the NFL’s premier blocking tight end, opened up lanes that had been absent for much of the season. For a team that had struggled to find its ground game rhythm, averaging a paltry 74.8 yards per game over the previous five weeks, this performance was a beacon of hope. But as the Niners prepare to face the Houston Texans, led by former San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, a brutal reality looms.
A Struggling Ground Game Finds Its Footing
The 49ers’ rushing woes this season have been perplexing. Despite McCaffrey’s health—a rarity given San Francisco’s injury-riddled roster—he’s averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry through the first six weeks. Even in their season-opening win against the Seattle Seahawks, where they amassed 119 rushing yards, it took 36 attempts to get there, translating to a mediocre 3.3 yards per carry. McCaffrey, with 108 carries (second only to Jonathan Taylor’s 115), ranked just 20th in rushing yards with 336 before the Atlanta game. The offensive line’s struggles and a lack of cohesion had stifled what was expected to be a dynamic ground attack.
Against Atlanta, however, things changed. The Niners’ offensive line looked revitalized, and Kittle’s return provided a significant boost. The Falcons’ run defense, ranked 16th in the NFL and allowing 140.5 rushing yards per game in their prior two contests, wasn’t elite, but San Francisco’s 174 yards on the ground marked a turning point. McCaffrey’s 5.4 yards per carry was a reminder of his explosive potential, and the team’s 39 rushing attempts showed a commitment to establishing the run. Yet, this resurgence is about to face a formidable test.
DeMeco Ryans and the Texans’ Stout Defense
The Houston Texans, under the guidance of DeMeco Ryans, have built one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses in 2025. While their run defense isn’t impenetrable, it’s been highly effective in most games, allowing just 95.2 rushing yards per game—good for 10th in the league. In four of their six games, Houston has held opponents to 86 yards or fewer on the ground. Most notably, in Week 5, they stifled the Baltimore Ravens, limiting them to 44 total rushing yards and holding Derrick Henry, one of the league’s most dominant backs, to a mere 33 yards on 15 carries. That’s no small feat.
Ryans, who spent six years with the 49ers as a player and later as their defensive coordinator, knows San Francisco’s system inside and out. His familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offensive schemes gives Houston an edge in preparation. The Texans’ ability to bottle up the run stems from a disciplined front seven, aggressive gap discipline, and a scheme that forces offenses to earn every yard. For a 49ers team that’s leaned heavily on McCaffrey’s volume (108 carries in six weeks), Houston’s defense presents a daunting challenge.
Glimmers of Hope, but a Tough Task Ahead
There are cracks in Houston’s armor. The Seattle Seahawks managed 118 rushing yards against the Texans in a Monday night win, though it required 33 attempts (3.6 yards per carry). More significantly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers provided a blueprint in Week 2, racking up 169 yards and averaging 5.6 yards per carry in a 20-19 victory. Shanahan, known for his meticulous film study, has likely dissected that Tampa Bay game to identify vulnerabilities in Houston’s run defense. Perhaps it’s a matter of exploiting specific alignments, leveraging misdirection, or utilizing Kittle’s blocking to create seams.
Still, the Texans’ overall defensive prowess can’t be understated. Their ability to limit high-powered rushing attacks like Baltimore’s suggests they’re capable of neutralizing McCaffrey and the 49ers’ ground game. San Francisco’s offensive line, while improved against Atlanta, will need to replicate or exceed that performance against a far tougher opponent. Kittle’s presence will be critical, as his ability to seal edges and create running lanes could be the difference between success and another stagnant outing.
The Road Ahead for San Francisco
For the 49ers, the matchup against Houston is a litmus test. Their Week 7 performance against Atlanta showed they can rediscover their rushing identity, but the Texans are a different beast. Ryans’ defense is designed to take away what opponents do best, and for San Francisco, that’s McCaffrey’s ability to break games open on the ground. If the Niners can’t sustain their newfound momentum, they risk falling back into the offensive rut that plagued them for much of the season.
Shanahan will need to scheme creatively, perhaps leaning on play-action or misdirection to keep Houston’s defense off balance. McCaffrey, who’s shown he can still dominate when given room to operate, must capitalize on any opportunities. And the offensive line, buoyed by Kittle’s return, needs to win battles in the trenches against a Texans front that’s proven adept at shutting down the run.
The 49ers’ running game revival is real, but it’s about to face a brutal reality check in Houston. Whether they can build on their Atlanta performance or succumb to Ryans’ defensive masterclass will define their path forward in a season already fraught with challenges.