49ers to hit tough stretch of games in following weeks

The 49ers players return back to the Bay Area after many of them returned back to their hometowns to spend time with friends and families during the bye week. A few 49ers, notably Alex Smith, Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree stayed in the South Bay to workout and prepare for this week's road game against the Houston Texans.

And the 49ers will need all the preparation they can get to face the high-octaned power offense of the Texans. Facing a huge offense in the Falcons last week, the 49ers defense was just uncharacteristic as to what we've seen from them from earlier in the season. They were sluggish, sloppy and just not quick.

The game against the Texans (3-3) is the first of a five-game stretch against the better teams in the NFL. After this week, the 49ers will visit the Colts (5-0), play host to the Titans (0-6) and Bears (3-2) before traveling out to Green Bay (3-2). This five-game stretch will help determine the kind of team the 49ers are. The Titans are better than their 0-6 record, but after their 59-0 loss to the Patriots, that might be a game in which the 49ers might be expected to win. The other games are against teams that were expected to make the playoffs in the beginning of the season. Now that will be a tough stretch for the team.

But like many players have said, it will be a "one game at a time affair" and the 49ers know that the Texans are a tough team.

Their offense can be very dangerous when on target. The passing game between Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson can break open a lot of secondaries. The immediate passing threat might come at the hands of the tight end Owen Daniels. The running game of Steve Slaton will also be a difficult task for the 49ers.

A lot of work will need to get done this week in order to properly prepare for this road game. Gore is expected to start against the Texans and rookie Crabtree should be in a few package plays in which he will get the chance to get the ball in the open field.

As for the rest of the team, their identity will be made this coming Sunday. If they can beat the Texans, they can help add some separation from the Arizona Cardinals from the division lead tie. It will be a big game this Sunday.