SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are going to have to find ways to win despite their messy quarterback situation.
On Sunday against the Texans, the team showed how they just might eek out some wins in two major areas: the rushing attack and defense. Both smash-mouth football elements were strong suits and encouraging signs in a 24-13 loss to the Houston Texans.
The 49ers rushed for 161 yards in the first half (236 total), gashing the undermanned Texans front-seven. Mike Davis surged to the forefront in the backup running back competition, reeling off 72 yards on just five carries. Carlos Hyde added five carries for 27 yards and the first-team offensive line — theoretically playing without two starters in Anthony Davis and Joshua Garnett — paved holes dump trucks could run through.
“We have some guys to select from,” Chip Kelly said about the offensive line. “It’s not one of those situations where I’m nervous about where we are with the offensive line…But (we’re still) trying to find out which the proper five is.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien maintains his offense kept things “close to the vest” but Houston’s uninspiring effort had much to do with San Francisco’s defense. Ahmad Brooks came up with a sack and Tramaine Brock made a leaping play in coverage on DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans didn’t score on offense in the first half, and new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler went 4-for-7 for just 27 yards.
“Our battle of our ones against their ones, I was impressed with how our defense played,” Kelly said.
When the 49ers drafted both DeForest Buckner and Garnett in the first round, the team double-downed on its philosophy of building in the trenches. It’s how the Jim Harbaugh era teams reaped rewards in the postseason. If Kelly’s 49ers want to sniff 8-8 in 2016, it’ll be those very trenches that become the necessary components to slugging out victories.
Perhaps the most promising sign of the night was the realization of the 49ers’ increased depth on defense. Nickel back Chris Davis has skyrocketed from the bottom of the depth chart to pretty much holding a lock and key on his new position. Linebacker Nick Bellore, normally just a special teamer, might command some reps alongside NaVorro Bowman in an already crowded inside linebacking positional battle.
Davis said he met with Trent Baalke early in the offseason and had one question for him.
“Would I be able to compete for a starting position?” Davis said. “And he told me, of course. That’s what it is right now and I’m just trying to make the best of my opportunity.”
The Broncos will provide a significantly tougher test for Hyde, Davis and the 49ers’ rushing attack next week in Denver. Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s defense, though, should be able to build upon this momentum. The Mark Sanchez-Travis Siemian quarterback competition is a close comparison to the mess San Francisco is in with Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick.