Texans vs 49ers Week 17 2021: Final Score 23

Final2021 Week 17

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CASun, Jan 2, 2022, 4:05 PM ET

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers, Week 17 2021

Houston Texans

Away

San Francisco 49ers

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Texans	0	7	0	0	7
49ers	0	3	7	13	23

HOU 7SF 23 Final

Passing leader
Trey Lance
SF · QB
20.1PPR pts
16/23, 249 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top fantasy scorer
Elijah Mitchell
SF · RB
21.0PPR pts
21 ATT, 119 YDS, 2 REC, 11 REC YDS, 1 REC TD
Texans leader
Brandin Cooks
HOU · WR
19.6PPR pts
7 REC, 66 YDS, 1 TD
Defensive playmaker
Marcell Harris
SF
1 INT, 10 TKL

49ers 23, Texans 7: San Francisco rallies from 4 down at halftime

San Francisco erased a 7–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Houston 20–0 after the break to win 23–7. The 49ers finished with a 416–222 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play.

The Texans went 5-for-15 on third down and committed one turnover.

Key advantages

+3.2 yards/play SF 6.8 · HOU 3.6
+194 total yards SF 416 · HOU 222
+5% third-down rate SF 38% · HOU 33%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Texan or 49er on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

Connect your league

Works with Sleeper, ESPN and Fleaflicker. No password needed.

Why the 49ers Won

San Francisco won the efficiency and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Texans vs 49ers
Texans	Stat	49ers
3.6	Yards per play	6.8

222	Total yards	416

33%	Third-down conversion	38%

Other team stats
62	Plays	61

1	Turnovers	1

30:31	Time of possession	29:29

Scoring Summary

The 49ers scored two touchdowns and three field goals; the Texans scored one touchdown.

Scoring plays, Texans vs 49ers
Time	Team	Play	HOU	SF
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
1:57	HOU	Davis Mills → Brandin Cooks, 8-yard TD Takes leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP	7	0
0:00	SF	Robbie Gould 37-yard FG	7	3
3rd quarter
5:53	SF	Trey Lance → Elijah Mitchell, 8-yard TD Takes leadRobbie Gould XP	7	10
4th quarter
9:56	SF	Trey Lance → Deebo Samuel, 45-yard TD Extends leadRobbie Gould XP	7	17
3:19	SF	Robbie Gould 27-yard FG Extends lead	7	20
1:12	SF	Robbie Gould 36-yard FG Extends lead	7	23

Fantasy Points: Texans vs 49ers, Week 17 2021

Fantasy leaders

Elijah MitchellSFRB21.0 PTSRB10
Trey LanceSFQB20.1 PTSQB9
Brandin CooksHOUWR19.6 PTSWR13
Deebo SamuelSFWR17.2 PTSWR17

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Trey LanceSFQB	20.1	QB9	16/23	249	2	1	8	31	0	116.0	Start/Sit →
Davis MillsHOUQB	8.9	QB26	21/32	163	1	1	1	4	0	75.4	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Elijah MitchellSFRB	21.0	RB10	RB	21	119	0	2	2	11	1
Brandin CooksHOUWR	19.6	WR13	WR	—	—	—	11	7	66	1	Start/Sit →
Deebo SamuelSFWR	17.2	WR17	WR	7	19	0	6	3	63	1
Rex BurkheadHOURB	12.9	RB26	RB	16	47	0	6	6	32	0
Brandon AiyukSFWR	12.4	WR33	WR	—	—	—	6	4	94	0
Nico CollinsHOUWR	5.5	WR70	WR	—	—	—	5	2	35	0	Start/Sit →
Jaylen SamuelsHOURB	5.1	RB45	RB	3	7	0	3	3	14	0
George KittleSFTE	4.5	TE33	TE	1	6	0	2	1	29	0	Start/Sit →
Jauan JenningsSFWR	4.5	WR76	WR	—	—	—	2	2	25	0	Start/Sit →
Royce FreemanHOURB	2.5	RB61	RB	6	25	0	1	0	0	0
Trent SherfieldSFWR	2.2	WR97	WR	—	—	—	2	1	12	0
Pharaoh BrownHOUTE	1.9	TE40	TE	—	—	—	1	1	9	0
Brevin JordanHOUTE	1.9	TE42	TE	—	—	—	1	1	9	0	Start/Sit →
JaMycal HastySFRB	1.6	RB70	RB	—	—	—	1	1	6	0
Chris ConleyHOUWR	1.1	WR108	WR	1	3	0	2	1	-2	0

Fantasy Usage

Houston Texans

Snap Share

Brandin CooksWR53 snaps79%
Chris ConleyWR49 snaps73%
Rex BurkheadRB44 snaps66%
Pharaoh BrownTE42 snaps63%
Nico CollinsWR40 snaps60%

Target Share30 targets

Brandin Cooks37%, 11 targets
Rex Burkhead20%, 6 targets
Nico Collins17%, 5 targets
Jaylen Samuels10%, 3 targets
Chris Conley7%, 2 targets
Other10%, 3 targets

Carry Share27 carries

Rex Burkhead59%, 16 carries
Royce Freeman22%, 6 carries
Jaylen Samuels11%, 3 carries
Chris Conley4%, 1 carries
Davis Mills4%, 1 carries

San Francisco 49ers

Snap Share

George KittleTE59 snaps95%
Brandon AiyukWR56 snaps90%
Deebo SamuelWR53 snaps85%
Elijah MitchellRB36 snaps58%
Jauan JenningsWR30 snaps48%

Target Share21 targets

Deebo Samuel29%, 6 targets
Brandon Aiyuk29%, 6 targets
George Kittle10%, 2 targets
Trent Sherfield10%, 2 targets
Jauan Jennings10%, 2 targets
Other14%, 3 targets

Carry Share37 carries

Elijah Mitchell57%, 21 carries
Trey Lance22%, 8 carries
Deebo Samuel19%, 7 carries
George Kittle3%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
George KittleSFTE	59	95%	2	10%	1
Brandon AiyukSFWR	56	90%	6	29%	0
Deebo SamuelSFWR	53	85%	6	29%	7
Brandin CooksHOUWR	53	79%	11	37%	0
Chris ConleyHOUWR	49	73%	2	7%	1
Rex BurkheadHOURB	44	66%	6	20%	16
Pharaoh BrownHOUTE	42	63%	1	3%	0
Nico CollinsHOUWR	40	60%	5	17%	0
Elijah MitchellSFRB	36	58%	2	10%	21
Brevin JordanHOUTE	35	52%	1	3%	0
Jauan JenningsSFWR	30	48%	2	10%	0
Jalen CampHOUWR	21	31%	0	0%	0
Royce FreemanHOURB	15	22%	1	3%	6
Jeff WilsonSFRB	12	19%	0	0%	0
Charlie WoernerSFTE	10	16%	0	0%	0
Jaylen SamuelsHOURB	9	13%	3	10%	3
Jordan VeasyHOUWR	9	13%	0	0%	0
Trent SherfieldSFWR	8	13%	2	10%	0
JaMycal HastySFRB	7	11%	1	5%	0
Jordan AkinsHOUTE	5	7%	0	0%	0
Ross DwelleySFTE	3	5%	0	0%	0
Travis BenjaminSFWR	2	3%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+4.9Trey Lance20.1 PTS vs 15.2 xFP
Biggest underperformer−6.5Rex Burkhead13.9 PTS vs 20.4 xFP
Highest expected volume20.4 xFPRex Burkhead13.9 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Rex BurkheadHOU · RB	13.9	20.4	−6.5	66%	59% car	—	0	16	59%	6	20%
Brandin CooksHOU · WR	19.6	18.5	+1.1	79%	37% tgt	—	0	0	0%	11	37%
Elijah MitchellSF · RB	21.0	16.8	+4.2	58%	57% car	—	0	21	57%	2	9%
Trey LanceSF · QB	20.1	15.2	+4.9	100%	23 att	—	23	8	22%	0	0%
Davis MillsHOU · QB	9.9	14.7	−4.8	100%	32 att	—	32	1	4%	0	0%
Deebo Samuel Sr.SF · WR	17.2	14.6	+2.6	85%	26% tgt	—	0	7	19%	6	26%
Brandon AiyukSF · WR	13.4	10.1	+3.3	90%	26% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	26%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR	5.5	8.4	−2.9	60%	17% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	17%
Jaylen SamuelsHOU · RB	5.1	7.0	−1.9	13%	11% car	—	0	3	11%	3	10%
Royce FreemanHOU · RB	2.5	5.5	−3.0	22%	22% car	—	0	6	22%	1	3%
Chris ConleyHOU · WR	1.1	4.0	−2.9	73%	7% tgt	—	0	1	4%	2	7%
George KittleSF · TE	4.5	4.0	+0.5	95%	9% tgt	—	0	1	3%	2	9%
Jauan JenningsSF · WR	4.5	3.4	+1.1	48%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	9%
Kyle JuszczykSF · RB	2.9	3.4	−0.5	—	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	9%
Trent SherfieldSF · WR	2.2	3.4	−1.2	13%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	9%
Brevin JordanHOU · TE	1.9	1.7	+0.2	52%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
JaMycal HastySF · RB	1.6	1.7	−0.1	11%	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Pharaoh BrownHOU · TE	1.9	1.7	+0.2	63%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%

Team totals: Texans 30 targets and 27 carries; 49ers 23 targets and 37 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Davis Mills

HOU · QB · 9.9 pts on 14.7 expected

21 of 32 passing for 163 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 1 carry for 4 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.7 expected.

Fewest points since Week 13.

Start/Sit: Davis Mills →

Trey Lance

SF · QB · 20.1 pts on 15.2 expected

16 of 23 passing for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 8 carries for 31 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.2 expected.

Start/Sit: Trey Lance →

Rex Burkhead Unlucky

HOU · RB · 13.9 pts on 20.4 expected

6 targets (20% of the team's), 6 catches for 32 yards; 16 carries (59% of the team's) for 47 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 20.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Season high in targets (6).

Brandin Cooks Strong role

HOU · WR · 19.6 pts on 18.5 expected

11 targets (37% of the team's), 7 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Brandin Cooks →

Elijah Mitchell

SF · RB · 21.0 pts on 16.8 expected

2 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for 11 yards and 1 touchdown; 21 carries (57% of the team's) for 119 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.8 expected.

A touchdown in 5 of the last 8 games.

Deebo Samuel Sr.

SF · WR · 17.2 pts on 14.6 expected

6 targets (26% of the team's), 3 catches for 63 yards and 1 touchdown; 7 carries (19% of the team's) for 19 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.6 expected.

A touchdown in 6 of the last 8 games.

Jauan Jennings

SF · WR · 4.5 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for 25 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 3.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Jauan Jennings →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Houston Texans

Stock up: Rex Burkhead played 66% of the snaps, up from a 33% season average.

San Francisco 49ers

Stock up: Jauan Jennings played 48% of the snaps, up from a 29% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Texans defense and 49ers defense
Points allowed to	Texans D	49ers D
QBs	18.2	17.7
RBs	25.7	20.9
WRs	35.7	35.4
TEs	13.5	9.1

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

San Francisco opened at 84% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

49ers win probability

Key Swings

−26Mills → Cooks, 8-yd TD77% → 51%Q2 1:57
+12Gould 37-yd FG49% → 61%Q2 0:00
+30Lance → Mitchell, 8-yd TD53% → 83%Q3 5:53
+16Lance → Samuel, 45-yd TD83% → 99%Q4 9:56

Swing in 49ers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Texans vs 49ers
Houston Texans	Measure	San Francisco 49ers
62	Plays	61
56%	Pass rate	39%
3.9	Yds / dropback	10.0
3.2	Yds / carry	4.7
5/15	Third downs	5/13

Efficiency edge San Francisco ran 1 fewer plays but gained 6.1 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
HOU Cooks 37% · Burkhead 20% · Collins 17%
SF Aiyuk 26% · Samuel 26% · Mitchell 9%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Texans vs 49ers
Result	HOU	SF
Touchdowns	1	2
Field goals	0	3
Punts	7	4
Turnovers	1	1
Turnovers on downs	1	2
Missed field goals	1	0

The Texans opened the scoring on their fifth possession, a 14-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.

All 24 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
HOU	Q1 15:00	3	5	2:18	Punt
SF	Q1 12:42	3	6	1:52	Punt
HOU	Q1 10:50	3	8	2:06	Punt
SF	Q1 8:44	8	30	4:22	Downs
HOU	Q1 4:22	5	9	2:05	Punt
SF	Q1 2:17	10	56	6:23	Punt
HOU	Q2 10:54	3	8	1:30	Punt
SF	Q2 9:24	1	0	0:12	Interception
HOU	Q2 9:12	14	80	7:15	Touchdown
SF	Q2 1:57	3	7	0:39	Punt
HOU	Q2 1:18	3	-2	0:40	Punt
SF	Q2 0:38	6	56	0:38	Field goal
SF	Q3 15:00	7	56	3:49	Downs
HOU	Q3 11:11	5	31	2:57	Interception
SF	Q3 8:14	4	58	2:21	Touchdown
HOU	Q3 5:53	3	0	2:09	Punt
SF	Q3 3:44	4	19	2:09	Punt
HOU	Q3 1:35	8	63	4:31	Missed FG
SF	Q4 12:04	4	65	2:08	Touchdown
HOU	Q4 9:56	6	29	3:10	Punt
SF	Q4 6:46	10	71	3:27	Field goal
HOU	Q4 3:19	4	8	0:38	Downs
SF	Q4 2:41	4	9	1:29	Field goal
HOU	Q4 1:12	6	57	1:12	End of game

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Texans vs 49ers Head-to-Head

The Texans and 49ers first met in 2005 and have played 6 times since.

All-time series: 4–249ers lead, 6 meetings since 2005
Postseason: 0No playoff meetings
Largest Texans win: 26–152025
Largest 49ers win: 34–32013

Since 2021

1–1 Series tied

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. T = Texans win, 4 = 49ers win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2025 Wk 8 49ers at Texans, 2025 Wk 8 recap Sun, Oct 26, 2025 HOU 26 SF 15 HOU W
2021 Wk 17 Texans at 49ers Sun, Jan 2, 2022 SF 23 HOU 7 SF W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Texans vs 49ers
Texans	Stat	49ers
4-13	Record	10-7

16.5	Points per game	25.1

278.1	Yards per game	375.7

4.7	Yards per play	6.1

26.6	Points allowed per game	21.5

384.4	Yards allowed per game	310.0

Texans vs 49ers Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: SF −13.549ers covered by 2.5
Total: 44.5Under: 30 points scored (by 14.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
49ers	29.0	23	−6.0
Texans	15.5	7	−8.5

Both offenses finished under the market's expectation, which matches the low fantasy output in the Fantasy tab.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Houston Texans

Against the spread: 7–9
Over/under: 7–9
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS as underdog: 7–8
ATS on the road: 3–5

San Francisco 49ers

Against the spread: 8–8
Over/under: 7–8–1
ATS as favorite: 7–7
ATS as underdog: 1–1
ATS at home: 4–4

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Got a Texan or 49er on your team?

Redraft Command reads your roster, league settings and opponent, then tells you whether to start, sit, trade or hold them before your next matchup.

Connect your league

Works with Sleeper, ESPN and Fleaflicker. No password needed.

Game info

Round: Week 17
Date: Jan 2, 2022
Kickoff (ET): 4:05 PM
Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Margin: 16 points
TV: CBS
Attendance: 71,612

Before and after

Houston Texans

Previous: Week 16: W 41–29 vs Chargers
Next: Week 18: L 25–28 vs Titans

San Francisco 49ers

Previous: Week 16: L 17–20 at Titans
Next: Week 18: W 27–24 at Rams

The 49ers' next games

Texans and 49ers in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Texan or a 49er, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Texans vs 49ers Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Texans vs 49ers Week 17 game?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Houston Texans 23–7 in Week 17 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, on January 2, 2022. See the 49ers' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Texans vs 49ers?

The final score was 49ers 23, Texans 7. The Texans led 7–3 at halftime, and the second half went Texans 0, 49ers 20.

What happened in the Texans vs 49ers game?

San Francisco erased a 7–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Houston 20–0 after the break to win 23–7. The 49ers finished with a 416–222 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play. Elijah Mitchell led all players with 2 catches for 11 yards and a touchdown, plus 21 carries for 119 rushing yards.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Texans vs 49ers?

Elijah Mitchell led the game with 21.0 PPR fantasy points, the RB10 of Week 17, on 2 catches for 11 yards and a touchdown, plus 21 carries for 119 rushing yards. Trey Lance was next with 20.1 (QB9).

Who led Texans vs 49ers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Trey Lance (SF) led all passers with 16 of 23 for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Elijah Mitchell (SF) led in rushing with 21 carries for 119 yards. Brandon Aiyuk (SF) led in receiving with 4 catches for 94 yards.

How many fantasy points did Elijah Mitchell score against the Texans?

Elijah Mitchell scored 21.0 points in PPR leagues, 20.0 in half-PPR and 19.0 in standard scoring against the Texans in Week 17 of the 2021 season, on 2 catches for 11 yards and a touchdown, plus 21 carries for 119 rushing yards. He handled 57% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Texans vs 49ers?

Trey Lance outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 20.1 PPR points on 15.2 xFP (+4.9). Rex Burkhead fell furthest short, with 13.9 points on 20.4 xFP (−6.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Texans vs 49ers?

Rex Burkhead had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.4 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 13.9. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the 49ers beat the Texans?

The 49ers beat the Texans 23–7 because they averaged 6.8 yards per play to 3.6 and outgained them 416–222.

What was the turning point of Texans vs 49ers?

Trey Lance's 8-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Mitchell with 5:53 left in the third quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the 49ers' win probability from 53% to 83%.

What is the all-time Texans vs 49ers record?

The 49ers lead the all-time series 4–2 across 6 meetings since 2005.

When did the Texans and 49ers last play before this game?

Before Week 17 of 2021, they last met in the 2017 season on December 10, 2017, when the 49ers beat the Texans 26–16.

What was the closing spread for Texans vs 49ers?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was 49ers −13.5, making the San Francisco 49ers 13.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 44.5. That implied about 29.0 points for the 49ers and 15.5 for the Texans.

Did Texans vs 49ers go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 44.5, and the teams combined for 30 points, 14.5 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Texans vs 49ers?

The 49ers covered by 2.5 against the closing line of 49ers −13.5. The final margin was 16 points.