49ers Win Second Straight 26-16 For First Time Since 2014; Jimmy G Compiles 334 Yards

Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reaches up to sack San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By: Joe Lami

San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, is starting his career with the Niners with a 2-0 record after the team beat the Houston Texans 26-16 on Sunday.

Garopollo is beginning to get the Niners rolling, as they’ve won back-to-back games for the first time November 23, 2014, where the Red and Gold strung off three straight victories.

Garopollo stepped up his play against the Texans, improving on his output that beat the Bears. He finished with 334 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a rating of 92.2 in the victory.

Garopollo’s lone touchdown came at a pivotal time in the third quarter with the game tied at 16, as he found Garrett Celek from six-yards out.

San Francisco’s other touchdown gave them a 10-3 lead in the second quarter as Carlos Hyde hammered it in from the two-yard-line.

Both of San Francisco’s scores were set up by big plays. Before Hyde’s touchdown, Garopollo kept firing it to Kyle Juszczyk, who gained his longest receptions of the season of 29 and 31 yards at the time.

Celek helped set up his own touchdown as he caught a ball for 61 yards, bringing it down to the red zone. He finished the day with 67 yards, but he didn’t lead the team.

Marquise Goodwin is beginning to gain chemistry with Garopollo as the speedy track star was able to catch for 107 yards, leading the way for the Niners.

San Francisco’s ground game was once again split between Hyde and Matt Breida. Hyde carried the ball 14 times for 78 yards, while Breida had 12 carries for 27 yards.

For the second game in a row, San Francisco’s defense was the brightest spot, doing a great getting off the field on third down, holding the Texans to 23% conversion while also recovering one fumble.

The front-seven were able to get to the quarterback position all day, totaling seven QB hits and putting Tom Savage in the concussion protocol after his hands were seen shaking in the second quarter.

Savage wasn’t doing all that well anyway, with six passes for 63 yards. His replacement, T.J. Yates, threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense once again showed up to play, and for the second time in a row, their offense matched them to get the win.

The climate is changing in Santa Clara after the Niners have three wins in their last four games. Things are turning around and the Red and Gold Faithful are beginning to notice. It’s not inconceivable for the Niners to get on a roll. They hope to show off the new found confidence to the faithful when they host the Tennessee Titans.

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