The Faithful had questions, and I've got the answers.

Each week throughout the season, fans will have the chance to submit their questions on Instagram, and I'll answer them here in this dedicated Q&A series. It's an opportunity to hear directly from the Faithful and highlight the storylines you care about most.

The 49ers are back on the road, heading to Houston to face their former defensive coordinator, now Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, at NRG Stadium. Let's dive into your questions!

Q: Is CMC goated? – @marcoscordoba2024

Definitely goated. Last week, RB Christian McCaffrey totaled 24 carries for a season-high 129 yards and two touchdowns, plus seven receptions for 72 yards. His 201 scrimmage yards marked his seventh 100-plus yard game of the season, the most by any player in the NFL. McCaffrey was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the 49ers 20-10 win over the Falcons. Fun fact: TE George Kittle actually called it before the game, saying, "My goal this week was CMC NFC Player of the Week... and if I actually called that, that might be the best guess of all time."

Q: What do you think of LB Tatum Bethune's performance? – @05grimey

Major props to Bethune for stepping in on the fly for an injured Fred Warner, that's no easy task. After getting a full week of starter reps, he made the most of it in Week 7 against the Falcons on "Sunday Night Football." Bethune led the defense with 10 tackles and a clutch fourth-quarter tackle for loss, helping hold a top-two Atlanta offense to just 10 points. Kyle Shanahan credited him for turning his preparation into production, saying, "Tatum getting all those (starter reps) this week helped him a ton. He was good in practice and carried it over to the game."

Q: Who holds the heart and soul of the team? – @ben_cuevas07

Head coach Kyle Shanahan. He sets the tone for this team, and they fight for him every week. The start of the 2025 season hasn't been easy. Playing on the road more often than at home, tight finishes, and major injuries to key players, yet the 49ers sit at No. 1 of the NFC West with a 5-2 record. That resilience starts with Shanahan's leadership, and it's why he deserves to be in the Coach of the Year conversation.

Q: Why does Briana like the 49ers? – @safo_dauce650

Easy question, the 49ers are the best team with the best fanbase in the NFL.

Q: John Lynch vs. Kyle Shanahan arm wrestling - who wins? @ay_bel

Alright, for this question, I took it to the locker room. Here's QB Mac Jones's answer which I think is the best:

"That's the wrong competition to put them up against each other. John's a Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, and Kyle was a receiver in college, he says his route running is pretty crazy. The real matchup would be John covering Kyle in a one-on-one."

Q: What do you think are the keys to a 49ers win vs. the Texans? @wiildwest_

It starts with protecting the quarterback. Houston's defense ranks No. 1 in points per game allowed and passer rating against, so the offensive line has to be sound in this matchup. CMC just needs to keep being CMC. He leads the NFL in scrimmage yards, and Kittle's return has opened up the run game even more. Defensively, it's about keeping Texans QB C.J. Stroud uncomfortable and winning the turnover battle.

Q: Who do you think will shine in Week 8? @annakendick_

This weekend the NFL is celebrating "National Tight Ends Day"... I'm sure Kittle's got something up his sleeve.

Submit Your Questions

Each week, this series highlights questions directly from the Faithful. To have your question featured in the next edition, follow @49ers and @brianajeannel on Instagram and submit your question through the weekly Instagram story prompt.