The San Francisco 49ers‘ Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans gave football fans another early glimpse at rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Lance was making just his second career start in the game against Houston, due to a hand injury sustained by starter Jimmy Garoppolo. The convincing 23-7 victory should have Niners fans fired up, and with that in mind, we take a look at some 49ers-Texans takeaways.
All eyes were on Trey Lance for the No. 3 overall pick's second-career start, and the rookie stepped up and delivered a gem for the Niners. Kyle Shanahan has to be pleased with what he saw from the 21-year-old, but it wasn't just Lance who impressed. The 49ers defense was solid as a rock, helping secure the win and improving the team to 9-7 on the year, keeping the playoffs within reach.
It was an all-around strong showing for the Niners, highlighted by the play of Lance and the defense. The team also received strong contributions from their running backs, particularly Elijah Mitchell, and it looks as if Lance may have discovered a new favorite target within the offense.
With all that having been said, it's time to dive into our San Francisco 49ers Week 17 takeaways from their win over the Texans.
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49ers Week 17 Takeaways
3. Elijah Mitchell is the future at RB
While Elijah Mitchell didn't score a touchdown against the Texans, he played a near-perfect game otherwise. Mitchell logged 21 carries for 119 yards in the win. It was the fifth time this season the rookie RB has surpassed the 100-yard threshold and was the fourth-consecutive game he's recorded more than 20 carries. While the 49ers had a crowded backfield to start the season, injuries have thinned out the pack and Mitchell has emerged as the clear-cut best option at running back for Kyle Shanahan and Co. His ability to find open lanes and also play a role in the passing game make him an invaluable part of the offense. Expect much of the same from Mitchell in Week 18, and if the Niners make the playoffs he could end up being a sneakily lethal contributor out of the backfield.
Despite having the likes of Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon and even Deebo Samuel as options to hand the ball off to, Mitchell has proven time and time again that he's the most trustworthy rusher in that backfield. There should be no question heading into the playoffs, and 2022, that Mitchell should be the primary rusher in the Bay.
2. Brandon Aiyuk is finding his place in the offense
Brandon Aiyuk got off to a freezing cold start to the season, nearly seeing his role taken over by other members of the team. After struggling to get involved in the first half of the year, Aiyuk has picked up the slack as the season continued. Even with Trey Lance in at quarterback, Aiyuk managed to feast, hauling in four catches for 94 yards. Over the past few weeks, Aiyuk has seen his target share expand, excluding Week 15, and has matched his production with his increased opportunities.
This season, Aiyuk is now up to 50 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdown receptions. Throughout the first six games of the season, Aiyuk managed just 9 receptions on 16 targets for 96 yards and one touchdown. Since then, he's averaged 4.1 receptions on 6.1 targets per game to go with 62.3 yards per game and 0.4 TDs. Perhaps he and Jimmy Garoppolo just never truly developed a strong connection together, because when Lance stepped in, Aiyuk seemed to be his go-to-guy when looking to pass.
1. It's Trey Lance time
Regardless of Jimmy Garoppolo's status for Week 18, it's clear the 49ers need to roll Lance back out there for another start. Lance showcased his dual-threat capabilities on Sunday, rushing eight times for 31 yards while completing 16-of-23 pass attempts for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Unless Shanahan has confidence that Garoppolo can lead this team to a Super Bowl victory, it may be time to bring Lance back out for Week 18, and then reassess ahead of the playoffs, should the Niners make it. Week 18 will present a vastly more difficult task for Lance, as the 49ers are headed to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Sunday. LA's defense could prove challenging for Lance to pick apart, but this is the level of competition the 21-year-old will need to grow accustomed to facing should he want a long future in the league.
There's absolutely an argument that Garoppolo's veteran experience would better serve the 49ers for their playoff push, and if Lance struggles against the Rams then it would be crystal clear that he isn't quite ready for that big of a challenge. If Lance is able to suit up once again in Week 18, it'll also allow Garoppolo some additional time to nurse his hand and ensure the injury is healed before risking further damage.
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