Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Washington's Week 12 Contest with 49ers
Sporting a 3-7 record, having lost back-to-back games to losing opponents, there is very little hope that the Washington Redskins can turn things around in 2014. The list of problems seems to be growing, no one seems to know what to do and the future looks dim at this point in time.
To make matters worse, the Redskins still have to travel to San Francisco and play the 6-4 49ers this week, in what may prove to be a tall order for the reeling Redskins.
Every matchup matters in the NFL, but some factor into the game more than others. Here are the most crucial matchups for the Redskins facing the 49ers.
Robert Griffin III vs. Pressure
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Griffin has been sacked 15 times this season, despite having played just three full games this season. Most of those sacks are because of the porous offensive line. The rest are because Griffin has been indecisive and allowed too many lapses in his pocket presence.
We all know Griffin can run. What we have yet to see from him is poise in the face of pressure. He lacks subtlety in his reaction to pressure.
Someone like Peyton Manning will step up or away from the pressure and make a throw. Aaron Rodgers steps up and then moves the pocket to make a throw.
Griffin is too quick to break the pocket and often tries to outrun pressure from the edges in order to find an opening to make a throw.
Granted, there has been a lot of pressure up the middle which makes it difficult to step up, but Griffin's first reaction is to run rather than step one way or another. He doesn't feel the pressure.
San Francisco has just 17 sacks on the season, but left tackle Trent Williams is day-to-day with a knee injury and could be ruled out for the game. That means the Niners are going to bring pressure from all directions. Griffin needs to expect pressure, or the Redskins need to game-plan for quick throws to get the ball out of his hands.
Redskins' Pass Rush vs. Colin Kaepernick
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It would be nice to be confident in thinking that the 122 rushing yards Russell Wilson had against the Redskins was an anomaly. Given Washington's tendency to disappoint in every way shape and form, it is understandable to be concerned about Colin Kaepernick's mobility.
Kaepernick is a different sort of running quarterback, much more physical than Wilson.
Luckily for the Redskins, Kaepernick has just 66 carries on the season for a career-low 4.9 yards per carry. He has also lost a pair of fumbles and doesn't have the same football IQ as Wilson, and will not have the luxury of facing a defense with a woeful game plan.
Against the Seattle Seahawks, the Redskins had their linebackers crash, converging on Marshawn Lynch, which allowed Wilson to run free for most of the game. Kaepernick won't have that type of opportunity, but he could still be a physical runner if he can't make players with his arm.
Though mobile, Kaepernick lacks the instinct to know when to run, which is why he's been sacked 32 times this season. Pressure and containment will be key for the Redskins to disrupt Kaepernick and the San Francisco offense.
Front Seven vs. Frank Gore
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Frank Gore may not be the same physical running back he once was, but he can still rumble for 100 yards in a game and hurt opponents with his persistence.
Historically speaking, the Redskins haven't fared well against running backs who don't go down at first contact.
DeMarco Murray gouged Washington for 141 yards, Arian Foster got 103 yards and Marshawn Lynch was "limited" to 72 yards (Russell Wilson had another 122). Gore, as his name lets on, remains an aggressive, physical back who will fight for extra yards.
Washington's front needs to stop him before he can work up a head of steam, which is easier said than done, particularly since it requires a consistent and sustained effort from the front seven, which has not been there this season.
They haven't faced many elite backs, though Gore may on the outside looking in at that group, but the Redskins defense can be worn down. And that spells disaster against a guy like Gore.
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Coverage vs. Vernon Davis
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The Redskins have done a fairly good job of limiting opposing tight ends this season. Chalk it up to Keenan Robinson's athleticism at middle linebacker at the very least.
Vernon Davis has not had a good season thus far, and the Redskins need to keep it that way.
In three career games against Washington, Davis has just 11 catches for 129 yards and one touchdown. This season, Davis has just 18 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns as part of the struggling Niners offense.
Based on his season output, Davis shouldn't be a problem. However, it would be a bigger story if the Redskins were the recipients of an offensive explosion for Davis than it would be for the Redskins to keep him under wraps.
David Amerson/Bashaud Breeland vs. Anquan Boldin/Michael Crabtree
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Mike Evans is a talented young receiver, of that there is no question. But should a rookie receiver on a 1-8 team with a career backup quarterback under center be able to torch your secondary for 209 yards and two touchdowns?
Credit to the Redskins secondary for limiting Vincent Jackson to just 43 yards, but Evans' eruption sort of erases that praise.
The 49ers have two very dangerous receivers in Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree, who have a combined 99 receptions, 1,197 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
Washington's secondary is bad, everyone knows that, but David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland have been better than expected and are between a rock and a hard place with the horrible scheme and nonexistent safety help.
Crabtree has a single reception of more than 50 yards this season, while Boldin's best is just 37 yards. Washington's corners have to keep these two in front of them at all times to stop the long ball.
Redskins vs. Themselves
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Good teams find ways to win in the face of adversity. Bad teams find ways to lose in the face of opportunity.
The Washington Redskins are a bad football team. They have a minus-11 turnover differential, they are the seventh-most penalized team in the NFL and they consistently play down to seemingly lesser opponents.
Not to single anyone out, but Logan Paulsen probably averages one false start per game, which helps absolutely no one.
Disregard entirely the 6-4 San Francisco 49ers; the Redskins can't get out of their own way to do some good things in order to salvage what was already a lost season even before the bye-week loss.
A loss wouldn't be the worst thing in this situation. They've already shown they can lose in spectacular fashion.
The Redskins need to come out and compete against San Francisco. They need to hold onto the ball through the whistle, make plays on the ball on defense, elevate their game to at least make it interesting and show that they care, which they have not shown this season.
Maybe if the team that took it to the Dallas Cowboys shows up?
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