Game Preview: Redskins @ 49ers

WHO: Washington Redskins @ San Francisco 49ers
WHAT: Week 17 of the NFL season
WHEN: Sunday, December 28 at 4.15 PM [Eastern]
WHERE: Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA
SAN FRANCISCO OFFENSE v. WASHINGTON DEFENSE
The 49ers offense gets a boost this week with the return of TB Frank Gore, a runner with power and speed who has battled back from an ankle injury. When healthy, Gore is one of the best running backs in the NFL, though he has been prone to fumbles this season. Gore is only 22 yards shy of 1000 and will be keen to pass that mark, but Gore is also a threat to catch the ball. He has 42 catches this season [8.7 yards per catch] and has scored 2 TD that way, with another 6 coming on the ground. 
The 49ers offense calmed down considerably after new Head Coach Mike Singletary took the reins and did two things: 1] Benched J.T. O’Sullivan in favor of Shaun Hill and ordered Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz to focus more on not turning the ball over. Hill, a star option quarterback with the University of Maryland who was not supposed to be able to start for an NFL team, has brought some stability to a position that has plagued the Niners since Jeff Garcia left. Hill is completing 62% of his passes and has thrown for 12 TD against 7 INT, a passer rating of 87.1. 
The Niners don’t have great wideouts — ancient Isaac Bruce [59 catches, 827 yards, 7 TD] is the team’s leading receiver and Bryant Johnson [43 catches, 503 yards, 3 TD] is his running mate. Washington’s talented secondary should be able to shut down the deep passing game and force the Niners to settle for shorter passes and be more patient on offense. FS Laron Landry is a fearsome hitter for the Redskins and intimidated the Philadelphia Eagles receivers in last week’s 10-3 victory. San Francisco’s receivers must be wary of Landry when they cross the middle, but not be taken out of their game by his presence, as Philly’s wideouts were. Washington has the 4th-ranked defense in the NFL so San Francisco must not squander any scoring opportunities. The Redskins defense is in the top ten in 9 different categories. Not turning the ball over will be critical. Without a real pass rush, the Redskins don’t force many turnovers and not giving Washington’s anemic offense the ball on a short field will be critical for San Francisco’s chances to win this game. 
This will probably come down to Frank Gore v. London Fletcher battle. Fletcher is a top middle linebacker who will have his sights on Gore all day. Despite being snubbed by Pro Bowl voters, Fletcher is one of the best read-and-react linebackers in the NFL and he will not be out of position. Getting real push against Washington’s smallish defensive line will be important for San Francisco’s running game. 
WASHINGTON OFFENSE v. SAN FRANCISCO DEFENSE
TB Clinton Portis is hobbled by injuries, but will try to gut it out and play. Portis could break his own franchise record for rushing yards in a season, but he’d have to go over 100 yards to do it, something he hasn’t been able to do since week 12. Portis isn’t the running back now that he was two months ago and the Redskins would be wise to lean on TB Ladell Betts if Portis can’t move the chains early. San Francisco’s 16th-ranked defense is 15th against the run so dominating on the ground won’t be easy for the Redskins, especially since the Niners will likely sell out to shut down Portis and Betts, gambling that Washington’s pitiful passing attack can do little to harm them.
QB Jason Campbell started the season red hot, but has cooled down considerably in the last two months. He’s missing LT Chris Samuels and the rest of his offensive line is old or broken down or both. The 49ers are tied for 15th in sacks with 29, so they don’t have the fearsome pass rush the Redskins have had to deal with against division rivals like Philadelphia, New York and Dallas. Pass rushing OLB Parys Haralson lead the team with 8 sacks and will attempt to take advantage of Washington’s weakness at tackle. The 49ers have a weak secondary and rank near the bottom of the league in pass defense. The team will likely focus on stopping WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley, counting that no other wideouts can do any damage. The Redskins badly need rookie bust WR Devin Thomas to make some plays today, but only a fool would bet on it. 
The key for Washington’s offense is to not turn the ball over, particularly early in the game. Washington has been dominated in the first quarter of recent games [until the victory over Philadelphia last week] caused by costly turnovers that the opposition turned into easy and early scores. If the Redskins can avoid early turnovers, they have an excellent chance to win the game, but if they dig another hole for themselves, they probably don’t have the offensive firepower to come back and salvage a winning season. 
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Joe Nedney gives the Niners the advantage over Washington because of PK Shaun Suisham‘s lack of reliability. Both teams have dangerous return men; RS Allen Rossum can score or make big plays as a punt or kick returner, while KR Rock Cartwright consistently gives the Redskins good field position. 
POSITION COMPARISON
QB: EVEN
TB: REDSKINS
WR: EVEN
TE: REDSKINS
OL: 49ERS
DL: EVEN
LB: EVEN
DB: REDSKINS
HOME FIELD: 49ERS
SPECIAL TEAMS: REDSKINS
COACHING: EVEN
PREDICTION
Redskins 17 49ers 13