Redskins vs. 49ers: Full Report Card Grades for San Francisco
The San Francisco 49ers got lucky against the Washington Redskins in Week 12.
San Francisco, again suffering from lackluster offense, found itself trailing by three in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. Winning would involve doing something the first-team offense had not been able to do over 10 previous games—score a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Rookie running back Carlos Hyde was able to do just that, and the 49ers squeaked by the Redskins by a score of 17-13.
San Francisco committed an uncharacteristic three turnovers during the contest. The offense consistently found itself buried deep on a multitude of its drives.
Fortunately, the defense was able to bail out the rest of a team. Linebacker Aldon Smith made his presence felt—combining with the rest of the 49ers' pass-rushers to sack Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III a total of five times.
"The 49ers defeat the Redskins 17-13. Aldon Smith with 2 of the San Francisco's 5 sacks on RG3. pic.twitter.com/DbGb77qesx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 24, 2014"
The 49ers' pass rush is getting back to where it needs to be. But the offense remains a major question mark.
Let's take a look at a unit-by-unit evaluation, with special attention given to specifically how each group played. Grades are based off statistics, key plays and general impact on the contest's outcome.
Here is a spoiler: The defense grades out well, but the offense does not.
Quarterback
1 of 10
With the Redskins doing their best to stack up against the run, it fell upon quarterback Colin Kaepernick to make some plays via the aerial attack.
Playing into his advantage was the depth in Washington's secondary. An already-thin Redskins defensive backfield lost cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland and Tracy Porter during the game, per Josh Alper of NBC Sports.
Replacing porter was Greg Ducre, who picked off Kaepernick in the second half—Kaepernick's lone turnover of the game.
The interception was a partial mistake, but Kaepernick was trying to take advantage of a one-on-one matchup between Ducre and wideout Anquan Boldin—one that would usually favor the 49ers.
It didn't in this case, but Kaepernick did find Boldin on San Francisco's first offensive drive of the game. This 30-yard play tied the team record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass, per ESPN's Sports Center.
"Colin Kaepernick finds Anquan Boldin for 30-yard TD & 7-0 lead. Kaepernick ties Steve Young's team record w/ TD pass in 18 straight games.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 23, 2014"
San Francisco's signal-caller finished the contest with 20 completions on 29 attempts—good for 256 yards. He would have had some better numbers had it not been for a few dropped passes, but it's safe to assume that—minus the pick and a fumble that he recovered—Kaepernick did about as much as he could have to help his offense given the context.
It was perfect, but at least the 49ers got the offensive production they needed from their man under center.
Grade: B-
Running Back
2 of 10
On one hand, San Francisco's running backs almost cost the 49ers this game. But this group also helped them win it.
Running back Carlos Hyde was able to punch in a four-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter—a score that gave San Francisco only its second fourth-quarter touchdown this season. More importantly, it was a score that put the 49ers back on top with just under three minutes in regulation.
"Carlos Hyde scores TD. It's the FIRST 4th qtr TD for #49ers offensive starters this season...That is not a typo. #Niners
— Gary Althiser (@NFLGary) November 24, 2014"
The touchdown made up for an earlier fumble—the first of Hyde's pro career.
“Yeah, I take pride in not fumbling the ball,” Hyde said via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “When I did, I felt like I let everyone down—definitely, myself. It took me a little minute to get over that play and onto the next.”
Hyde wasn't alone in his fumble gaffes.
Frank Gore also coughed up the ball once. But the bigger concern was that he and Hyde were only able to net a total of 52 yards on 20 rushing attempts.
San Francisco's rushers only gained an average of 2.3 yards per carry. While the touchdown was a nice ending, the ground game simply could not get it going against a defense that succeeded in taking away this offensive approach.
Hyde's touchdown saved what otherwise would have been a failing grade. The context of the situation boosts the final mark much higher than what it otherwise would have been.
Grade: D+
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
Anquan Boldin continues to assert himself as the 49ers' No. 1 receiver—putting forth an effort that netted him nine catches for 137, plus San Francisco's first touchdown.
Boldin's touchdown reception at the 11:13 mark of the first quarter gave San Francisco an early lead. But it was the veteran's heroics in the fourth that helped set up the final game-winning score.
The biggest catch came when Colin Kaepernick found Boldin through a tight window, after which Boldin was hit hard in the helmet by a Redskins defender. Boldin kept moving after the play, even though the hit resulted in a penalty.
San Francisco was able to score off the drive—putting up the points that made the difference.
"Carlos Hyde with the TD run, set up by Anquan Boldin’s catches. And 49ers take the lead.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) November 24, 2014"
Wideout Michael Crabtree also had a commendable effort, hauling in five catches for 58 yards in the process.
Yet other San Francisco wideouts, Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd, were held off the stat sheet aside from being targeted a combined two times.
Tight end Vernon Davis also made an impact, although one could argue how effective it was. He finished the day with three catches for 21 yards on five targets.
But Davis came up short on back-to-back third-down conversion attempts. He would gain five yards when the 49ers needed six.
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area summed up Davis' mistakes.
"Vernon Davis should’ve known how many yards he needed for first down and run his third-down route accordingly.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) November 23, 2014"
Davis' season-long struggles continued through Week 12, which will continue to prompt questions about his effectiveness on the offense.
Grade: C
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
San Francisco's offensive line allowed two more sacks of quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Sunday, increasing the season total to 34.
Some of these are on Kaepernick, but problems in pass protection remain. Fortunately, the O-line was able to generate enough protection to allow the passing game to do the bare minimum in winning this contest.
Rookie center Marcus Martin continues to have up-and-down moments in his first pro season.
The biggest mistake resulted in a fumble, upon which Kaepernick was able to land.
"I think Marcus Martin should move in w/ Kap for a month to practice their hike. Snap the eggs, box of cereal, muscle milk bottle to Kap.
— AyeQHerico (@BeLikeMike49) November 23, 2014"
The quarterback-center exchange has been problematic between these two. The rookie center is certainly adjusting to life at the pro level, and it didn't help that Martin missed the majority of the first half with a knee injury.
Still, this will be an aspect in which the 49ers need to get better.
San Francisco was also without right tackle Anthony Davis (concussion), which forced backup OT Jonathan Martin into the starting role.
As a partial result, the 49ers could not get their running game going—gaining just 66 rushing yards in the process.
Martin's return will help, but the O-line will need to figure out how to match up against teams that look to stack the box against San Francisco's ground attack.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Defensive ends Justin Smith and Ray McDonald each had two significant plays that led to the defense's strong prowess over Washington.
McDonald finished the game with two tackles, two quarterback hits and a sack. He has enjoyed strong back-to-back games, in which he certainly has improved following news that he wouldn't be charged under suspicion of domestic violence.
But Smith's big play came in the fourth quarter on the Redskins' final offensive drive. Smith got to quarterback Robert Griffin III, forcing a fumble in the process. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks came up with the loose ball and sealed San Francisco's victory.
"Justin Smith knows how to close out a game in crunch time. Sack fumble that was recovered by @AhmadBrooks55 #WASvsSF @NFLonCBS
— Takeo Spikes (@TakeoSpikes51) November 24, 2014"
The D-line made some strong plays when it mattered most. But this unit was also a part of a defense that allowed Redskins running back Alfred Morris to rush for 125 yards on 21 carries—an average of 6.0 yards per carry.
This might be the only setback in what was otherwise a strong showing from this unit. Stopping the run has long been a strength of the defensive front. San Francisco will need to rediscover that as they host the vaunted Seattle Seahawks' running game in Week 13.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
6 of 10
Linebacker Chris Borland led the 49ers in tackles on Sunday (duh), totaling eight in the process. Two of these came for a loss.
But Aldon Smith also made his presence known, and in a bigger way than his season debut a week ago. The recently reinstated linebacker tabbed two sacks of Robert Griffin III and finished the day with four quarterback hits.
"49ers sack Robert Griffin III 5 times in 17-13 win over Redskins. • Aldon Smith: 2 sacks • Griffin: 11-19, 106 Yds pic.twitter.com/JBRdWAK3CH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 24, 2014"
"I thought [Smith] played outstanding," head coach Jim Harbaugh said via 49ers.com. He had speed, had power. He came up with a lot of big plays for us today."
On the opposite side, rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch also recorded another sack. He would have had another had it not been for a questionable hit-to-the-helmet call.
San Francisco's pass rush—once a defensive weakness—is now delivering at full strength. The linebacker corps has been a major factor in this recent surge.
But just like the D-line, the linebackers have to bear some responsibility in allowing a 100-plus-yard rusher. Stopping the ground game at its point of attack has long been a strength in San Francisco's defense.
This was absent on Sunday, but at least the linebackers made up for this in other areas.
Grade: A-
Secondary
7 of 10
As a unit, the 49ers secondary helped in allowing just 106 yards through the air.
The defensive backfield gave up a couple of big plays—a 32-yard and a 24-yard gain to wideouts DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, respectively—but they did hold quarterback Robert Griffin III to an average of just 5.6 yards per passing play.
This was a unit that entered the contest without cornerback Tramaine Brock (hamstring) and has dealt with the losses of players like Chris Cook and Jimmie Ward. While thin, San Francisco's secondary has continued to limit damage from opposing quarterbacks.
Safety Eric Reid and cornerback Chris Culliver each had a pass breakup.
Fellow safety Antoine Bethea also made his presence known with five tackles—second only to linebacker Chris Borland during the contest.
Grade: A-
Special Teams
8 of 10
On one hand, the 49ers' special teams unit has played a critical role in almost every one of the narrow victories San Francisco has enjoyed this season.
Kicker Phil Dawson connected on his lone field-goal attempt—a 41-yard try that gave the 49ers a 10-7 lead going into halftime.
Yet the offense was forced to call upon punter Andy Lee throughout the game. He made six punts during the day, averaging 50.3 yards per attempt.
But the largest problem San Francisco endured was the battle of field position. It seemed all too frequent that each 49ers drive started out deep within their own territory. The punt returns of fill-in man Perrish Cox were not particularly inspiring—an aspect called into question by Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.
"Perrish Cox looking even more unnatural at punt returns today than Bruce Ellington, and that's saying something.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 23, 2014"
Cox posted an average of just two yards on four punt returns.
Fortunately, kick returner Carlos Hyde was able to gain an average of 24.5 yards on four run-backs.
Grade: B
Coaching
9 of 10
Despite a flurry of injuries and setbacks, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is getting the most out of a makeshift, short-handed defense.
This revealed itself once more in Week 12 as the 49ers held the Redskins to just 213 all-purpose yards.
But the offense is another story.
Wherever the blame may lay—head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Greg Roman or the players themselves—San Francisco's offense simply cannot generate the effectiveness one would have hoped for this season.
Defensively, the 49ers have responded—often making up for the offensive woes with stellar, stout play. But this won't work forever.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks was quick to call out his offense—a statement made via Bud Geracie of Bay Area News Group.
"Ahmad Brooks: "Our offense didnt play as good as they should have. They turned the ball over a lot." #49ers
— Bud Geracie (@WakeOfWeek) November 24, 2014"
Brooks isn't blaming the offense, rather he is simply making a true statement. San Francisco's offense is not doing what it needs to do, often against far inferior defenses.
Ultimately, this falls upon two things: coaching and execution. The coaches need to put their players into a position to win. The players need to follow up with making plays.
Neither is happening with regularity.
But on the positive side of things, San Francisco's first-team offense generated its first fourth-quarter touchdown this season.
Grade: D+ (An F- grade would have been received had it not been for Fangio)
Final Grades
10 of 10
QB: B-
RB: D+
WR/TE: C
OL: C-
DL: B+
LB: A-
Secondary: A-
Special Teams: B
Coaching: D+
Cumulative Grade: C-
San Francisco has become an expert in narrowly defeating opponents, often against teams that it should easily handle.
Wins are critical, regardless of the means, but one cannot look at this game with satisfaction given how the 49ers were not able to put away an inferior Redskins opponent that nearly staged an upset.
"Victory! San Francisco outlasts Washington, 17-13. GAMER: http://t.co/tJesbi5b2Q pic.twitter.com/tj3noVHcDm
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2014"
The 49ers might have been able to escape disaster with this formula against the Redskins, but now they will be faced with a short week as they prepare for a Week 13 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving.
Can San Francisco survive this type of performance from its offense against a tough division rival?
It's hard to think so.
Yet the 49ers advance to 7-4, keeping them in the thick of the playoff picture. It might not have been a signature victory, but at least San Francisco can put this game in the rear-view mirror and start the needed preparations for what promises to be a consequential contest in just a few days.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.
Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers' news, insight and analysis.
Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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