A three-team tussle atop the NFC West figures to naturally play itself out by season's end.

While the San Francisco 49ers have gained an early edge with victories against fellow 5-2 rivals Los Angeles and Seattle, right tackle Colton McKivitz knows a Week 8 visit to Houston offers a unique challenge.

With injuries mounting, especially to the San Francisco defense, a banged-up attack needs to build consistency.

"We're going to have to step up," McKivitz said. "On offense, is there a little more urgency to score? Yeah. Is there a little more urgency to run the ball better? Yeah. I mean, same thing in the pass game. It is just time for us to start hitting on all cylinders."

Houston knows the feeling. After throttling Tennessee and Baltimore following a season-opening, three-game losing st

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