Texans vs. 49ers: TV Schedule, Radio and Online Live Streaming Info

The Houston Texans will visit the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 of the NFL preseason on Saturday night. This is an important season for the Texans, who have playoff aspirations, but have to figure out if their defensive additions have improved them enough to challenge Indianapolis in the AFC South.

The 49ers, on the other hand, are going through a rebuilding process. Head coach Jim Harbaugh inherited a team with a few good parts, but still has work to do before they can become serious contenders.

Where: Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California

When: Saturday, August 27 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: KPIX CBS-5 (San Francisco), ABC-13/KTRK (Houston); online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for league wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay: 11 p.m. EST Saturday on NFL Network

Listen: SR610 AM & 100.3 KILT FM (Houston), KNBR 680/1050 AM & KSAN 107.7 (San Francisco); Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 104 (Houston)

Texans’ Key Additions

The biggest weakness for the Texans in 2010 was in the secondary. They ranked last in the league with over 267 yards allowed per game through the air. They spent all their money in free agency this offseason to upgrade that unit.

Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning were brought in to provide stability to a very volatile coverage unit. If they play up to their potential, this team will be dangerous because they have the muscle on the defensive line to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.

49ers’ Key Additions

The 49ers were quiet this offseason, but they were able to grab Braylon Edwards on a cheap, one-year contract. He is the kind of big, physical receiver that this team hasn’t had since Terrell Owens left town in 2004.

Carlos Rogers is going to be the 49ers' No. 1 cornerback after Nate Clements was released. They are thin at the position, so he has to play like a star for this defense to have a chance to be at least average.

Texans’ Key Loss

Bernard Pollard is not a star player, but he is a good guy to have on a roster to provide depth. He can also fill in and hold his own if a starter gets injured.

The secondary was not good last year, but Pollard always seemed to be around the ball. He gets a bunch of tackles—111 last season—and he forced four fumbles. He signed a contract with the Ravens, who always seem to find diamonds in the rough on defense.

49ers’ Key Loss

The biggest mistake that the 49ers made this offseason was assuming that they had a deal with defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin done.

He spurned them to sign with the Saints because they only offered him a one-year deal, but since they are not close to competing for a Super Bowl, he took a one-year deal with a team that is capable of winning this year.

He was the key cog on the defensive line, and his presence will be sorely missed.

What They Are Saying

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak told Jeffrey Martin of the Houston Chronicle that he is pleased with the progress that Mario Williams has shown adjusting to the new 3-4 defensive scheme.

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"It is a change, but every step has been positive," Kubiak. " What they're trying to get him to do, it's a total change in technique in how you play and the scheme is playing and what he's being asked to do. Mario's working. Mario hasn't missed a day, except the day his dad was ill. He's been working his tail off."

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The 49ers’ quarterback situation, which has been scrutinized to death this offseason, has been looking better in practice as training camp has gone on, according to Taylor Price of 49ers.com.

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And so far, playing for Harbaugh has been everything (Alex Smith) the former No. 1 overall pick envisioned while weighing his options this offseason.

“We get it every day,” said Smith. “The detail, the coaching on every level—not just in the film room or on the field – it never ends.

“And that’s what I wanted.”

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Texans’ Player To Watch

Mario Williams has been hearing it from fans this offseason, because he has not always looked comfortable playing in the 3-4 scheme. Since this is the third preseason game, he will play most of the game.

Williams will have to show that he has been adjusting to the change and can be the productive pass rusher that he has been in the past in the 4-3 defense.

49ers’ Player To Watch

All eyes are on Alex Smith in San Francisco. He has not lived up to the hype that comes with being a No. 1 pick, and this season will be his last chance to prove himself with this team.

The Texans defense is a good matchup for him because of their weaknesses in the secondary. He needs to show improvement in these last two preseason games to give this team any hope heading into the season.

Prediction

The Texans have a more potent offense than the 49ers, and with starters playing a majority of the game, this could be a slaughter.

Final Score: 31-17 Texans