It’s been a long offseason, but football is just about back for the San Francisco 49ers! The team kicks off their 2016 preseason schedule on Sunday, so it is once again time for our first nuts and bolts post of the new season. The 49ers host the Houston Texans Sunday evening, with game time set for 4 p.m. PT.
The two teams conducted a joint practice on Friday, and this marks the fifth preseason matchup between the two teams. The Texans won the preseason opener 23-10 last season, and lead the series 3-1. We all remember that game as the one in which Jarryd Hayne first burst on the scene. Prior to that, the 2014 game, in which the 49ers won 40-13, was probably the most memorable. It was the preseason finale, so most of the starters did not play. That resulted in a career performance from Kyle Nelson. The long snapper is also listed at tight end, and he got some time in that game. He finished with two touchdown catches.
And of course, this game marks Chip Kelly’s debut as head coach. I am expecting fairly vanilla play, but it should be of the up-tempo variety, so that will be something different to watch. But really this game will be about tracking all the position competitions. The team has two weeks of practice under its belt, and now we get to see the players in serious live action.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Sunday, August 14, 4 p.m. PT
TV channel: CBS/KPIX-5, NFL Network (Do I get the game?)
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
NFL Network Replay: Aug 16, 1 p.m. PT
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Kate Scott, Keena Turner, Dennis Brown) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Matchup history: Preseason: 2-1 Texans; Regular season: 2-1 49ers
Announcers: Bob Fitzgerald, Tim Ryan, Dennis O'Donnell (sideline)
Enemy blog: Battle Red Blog
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers preseason schedule
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans, 4 p.m., Sunday, August 14
Week 2: @ Denver Broncos, 6 p.m., Saturday, August 20
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m., Friday, August 26
Week 4: @ San Diego Chargers, 7 p.m., Thursday, September 1
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 7:20 p.m., ESPN, Monday, September 12
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, September 18
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, September 25
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 2
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 5:25 p.m., CBS Thursday, October 6
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, October 16
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 23
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 6
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 13
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBS Sunday, November 20
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 27
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears, 10:00 a.m., FOX Sunday, December 4
Week 14: vs. New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., CBS Sunday, December 11
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 18
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1