Getting to know the San Francisco 49ers

Sep 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball as St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) gives chase during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. San Francisco defeated St. Louis 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this season, the Houston Texans had to face the reigning Super Bowl champions, on the road, when they played the Baltimore Ravens. Now the Texans must travel to face the San Francisco 49ers, the reigning NFC champion at Candlestick Park.

The game will be played on national television, on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, as both teams enter the game at 2-2 on the season. That means one of the two playoff teams from last season will drop below the .500 mark after five weeks.

The 49ers, like the Texans, haven’t had the season they’ve expected thus far, with losses to the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts for their 2-2 record. San Francisco has wins against the Green Bay Packers and most recently the St. Louis Rams last Thursday nu a 35-11 score.

For the 49ers, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a 58.1 completion percentage this season. He’s 68-for-117 with 856 yards. He’s passed for five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Kaepernick is also the second leading rusher on the 49ers with 26 carries for 140 yards and no touchdowns.

The leading rusher on the 49ers is running back Frank Gore with 61 carries for 295 yards in four games. He’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry, while Kaepernick is averaging 5.4 ypc.

Anquan Boldin leads the team with 24 receptions and 372 yards. His average is 15.5 yards per reception with two touchdowns. Of the 372 yards receiving, 208 of those yards came in the season opener against Green Bay. Since then, Boldin has been held to under 100 yards of receiving per game. Boldin had seven yards against the Seahawks, 67 against the Colts and last week he totaled 90 yards and a touchdown against the Rams.

The leading tackler for the 49ers on defense is linebacker NaVorro Bowman with a combined 34 tackles, with 25 solo. He also has two sacks. Aldon Smith leads the 49ers with 4.5 sacks this season.

As a team defensively, San Francisco has allowed 437 yards rushing and 762 yards in the air. They’ve totaled 10 sacks, and have allowed one fourth down conversion in two opportunities.

On the offensive side the 49ers’ turnover ratio is -4.

The last time the 49ers and Texans met was on Oct. 25, 2009 where the Texans defeated the 49ers, 24-21. Matt Schaub threw for 264 yards (two touchdowns) and Owen Daniels had 123 yards receiving with one touchdown.