Sweet Play of the Week No. 1: Houston has yet to appear in a high-profile game, so you may be missing the fun of Gary Kubiak-drawn plays. At the San Francisco goal line, Kubiak sent in three tight ends, then had the right tackle pull on a toss run by Steve Slaton -- touchdown. From another three-tight-end set, Matt Schaub faked a toss left to Slaton, then waggled right; there were two offensive linemen pulling left, to sell the fake; a tight end was crossing in front of Schaub, which drew the attention of the safety, since bootlegs are usually to a tight end crossing in front of the quarterback; then Schaub threw long to tight end Owen Daniels, who had run a deep seam pattern -- 42-yard touchdown. What a sweet-looking play.
As for the Niners' semi-comeback from 21-0 to 24-21, did the Moo Cows relax when lightly regarded quarterback Alex Smith entered the game? Probably. Smith proceeded to throw three second-half touchdown passes. With 38 seconds remaining, he also threw the interception that sealed the Houston win. Eugene Wilson made the pick, and rather than attempting a stat-padding return and risking a fumble, he simply fell to the ground. That too was sweet.