After picking up a monumental upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Houston Texans now have a clash upcoming with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.

In Week 16, the Texans played as if they were still in the hunt for a wild-card spot in the AFC. Quarterback Davis Mills guided the offense to six scoring drives, while the defense came away with a pair of interceptions off of Chargers passer Justin Herbert. It sure was the Texans’ biggest statement win of their campaign.

The Texans will once again have the opportunity to play the role of spoiler, as they will take on a 49ers team that is still in the mix for a wild-card spot in the NFC. As it stands, the 49ers hold the No. 6 seed in the conference. There is a possibility that they could officially clinch a playoff spot in Week 17, but they would not only need a win over the Texans but also have at least one result to go their way.

The Texans do not have much to play for at this point in the campaign, although multiple players sure are looking to prove their worth to the coaching staff and front office ahead of the offseason. If they aim to pick up a crucial upset victory over the 49ers, then they must achieve each of these four feats in the contest.

Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*

Texans Week 17 predictions

4. Brandin Cooks posts a potent performance in his return

Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks did not feature in the upset win over the Chargers, as he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of the game. The veteran wideout was recently activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, so he is expected to take part in Houston’s upcoming matchup with the 49ers.

As of late, Cooks has been quite a vital contributor in the Texans' game planning on offense. He notched 100-plus receiving yard games against both the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, which included a pair of touchdown catches over the latter opponent.

Both Mills and Cooks should form keen chemistry against the 49ers. Regardless of the down, Mills must look to get Cooks going if he aspires to open up the offense.

3. Texans once again find grand success on third downs

The Texans have not been among the more efficient teams in the NFL when it comes to converting third downs so far in the season. However, the script flipped for Mills and company last week.

Not only did the Texans post a formidable 6.8 yards per play average, but they also converted 69 percent of their third downs against the Chargers. This upped the Texans’ third down conversion percentage on the season to 40.4 percent, which ranks at 14th in the league.

The 49ers have had promising success in stopping teams on third downs, as they have posted a 38.8 third down conversion percentage allowed, which ranks just outside the top 10.

This area of play may be the deciding factor for the Texans in Week 17.

2. Desmond King helps to slow down 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel

Not many defensive backs in the league as of late have had much success in containing 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Whether out wide as a receiver or in the backfield, Samuel has simply been the do-it-all talent for the 49ers offense.

It is not yet known on just which Texans defensive back will have the responsibility of shadowing Samuel, but it sure would not be a surprise to see cornerback Desmond King be given this hefty task. King has had quite a promising year in his first campaign with the Texans, even as he has gone up against the likes of DK Metcalf and Stefon Diggs. For one, he has allowed a passer rating less than 100.0 in three of Houston's last four games.

If King can contain Samuel in Week 17, it sure would bode well for the Texans’ chances of coming away with yet another upset win on the season.

1. Davis Mills shines in the red zone

The Chargers simply had no answer for the Texans in the red zone last week, as Mills anchored the offense to three touchdowns in Houston's four trips to this area of the field.

Overall, Mills has recorded six passing touchdowns to go along with a 113.2 passer rating in the red zone so far this season. His promising play in the red zone should continue against defensive end Nick Bosa and the 49ers defense.

In the unpredictable world of the NFL, it sure would not be a surprise to see the Texans pull off an upset victory over the 49ers.