Washington Redskins: 7 Tips for Success vs. the San Francisco 49ers

The Washington Redskins entertain a San Francisco 49ers team that currently look like a lock for the postseason.  The Bay Area franchise is comfortably leading the NFC West and has been dominating the opposition in recent weeks.

In contrast, Mike Shanahan's team has let a once-promising start be undone by an alarmingly familiar slide into the doldrums. 

The Redskins have endured three straight defeats, most recently suffering the ignominy of being blanked by the Buffalo Bills.

A matchup against the tough 49ers is a difficult place to start to try and remedy the problems.  But the Redskins need to return to winning ways soon if they are going to save their season.

Here are seven tips for success which could lead to a hugely significant upset.

7. Go Deep Early

The Redskins have to find a way to loosen up the formidable San Francisco defense. 

One possibility might be to try some deep throws early on and stretch the 49ers secondary.

Former Redskin Carlos Rogers has played capably on one side, but he can be beaten deep.  Fellow starter Tarell Brown is definitely worth testing. 

The Redskins need to utilise the speed and vertical ability of Anthony Armstrong and Donte Stallworth.

The 49ers regularly have strong safety Donte Whitner at or near the line of scrimmage.  Washington's offense should take quick advantage of the undermanned secondary.

Some deep gains, or at least the threat of them early, might also serve to curb the aggressive instincts of the 49ers front seven and encourage Whitner to retreat from the line of scrimmage, which could open up some holes for the running game.

6. Use Fred Davis as a Decoy to Help the Running Game

The big play threat from tight end Fred Davis could also be used to create space for Washington's running backs. 

Davis likes to stretch the seams and attack a defense on deep crossing patterns. 

Kyle Shanahan should regularly send Davis on these kinds of routes in the hopes of forcing the 49ers out of their eight-man fronts.

Having Davis stretch the middle zones may drag Whitner away from the line of scrimmage.  The 49ers may even choose to cover Davis with one of their ultra-athletic inside linebackers, Navorro Bowman or All-Pro Patrick Willis.

If Davis can take any one of these three defenders deep, that should open up some extra room for the running game.

5. Use Some Draw Plays

The Redskins can take advantage of the swarming 49ers front seven with some lead draws and delayed handoffs. 

The 49ers defense has been excellent at playing in the opposition backfield so far this season.

The unit frequently gains quick penetration beyond the line of scrimmage and should be able to shut down many of the Redskins zone stretch plays before they have the chance to develop.

Washington's offense should look to use this aggressive pursuit against the 49ers and offset any rush with some inside handoffs and delayed lead draws.

If the passing game can succeed in removing the eighth man from the defense, then this more patient style of running the ball might just yield enough yards to keep San Francisco's defense honest.

4. Double-Team Isaac Sopoaga

Double-teaming man mountain nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga is a top priority for the Redskins. 

Moving the 6'2" 330-pounder to nose tackle has made an already stout 49ers defensive front even more intimidating.

The former Hawaii standout is at the heart of a ferocious San Francisco run defense, and finding some way to control Sopoaga at the point of attack is the Redskins only hope of establishing a running game.

It certainly won't be an easy task.  The Redskins lack the size and tenacity inside to match up well with a player as powerful and aggressive as Sopoaga. 

His brute strength might be too much for Washington's finesse-style offensive linemen.

Right guard Chris Chester in particular needs to step up his play and prove that he can handle players who rely on power and intimidation.

3. Beware of the Cornerback Blitz

The cornerback blitz is one of the favorite calls of 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and the Redskins need to be aware that they could see this particular blitz at any time.

Carlos Rogers executed the play superbly against the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the season, and Fangio is not afraid to use it in either run or pass situations.

If the Redskins continue to try and run the ball to the outside, they should be wary of 49ers corners shooting off the edge. 

In the passing game, the Redskins would be well advised to always keep a running back in the backfield and instruct them to be on the lookout for both corners.

2. Use Overload Pressure from the Edges

The Redskins should look to attack the perimeter of the 49ers offensive line and overwhelm them on the edges with some overload pressures.

Outnumbering San Francisco's blocking schemes by stacking two and three rushers on one side can take advantage of the 49ers weakness at tackle.

The tactic may also help to nullify the considerable threat posed by the the 49ers' two tight end sets.  If the protection is outnumbered on the edges, then dangerous duo Vernon David and Delanie Walker may be called upon to block and assist with pass protection.

At the very least, overloads might allow the Redskins to snatch-blitz Davis and Walker and prevent them from releasing for their customary significant gains down the field.

1. Have the Defensive Line Stunt and Pinch Inside

The Redskins don't do enough with their big and talented three-man front. 

Jim Haslett should instruct his defensive line to create plenty of disruption inside against a 49ers offense still reliant on running the ball up the middle.

Defensive ends Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker should regularly take pinch moves down the line of scrimmage and close off the interior lanes for San Francisco's star runner Frank Gore.

Haslett needs to rely on LaRon Landry, Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan to set the edges and use his line to close off space inside against the run and take away the line of sight of quarterback Alex Smith versus the pass.

The athleticism of Bowen and nose tackle Barry Cofield should encourage the use of many stunts and line twists. 

These games can create confusion and occupy the interior of the 49ers offensive line.  This will leave those suspect tackles isolated against potent edge rushers Orakpo and Kerrigan.

Overcoming the high-flying 49ers is a daunting task for the struggling Redskins. 

It's difficult to imagine Washington's anaemic offense having much joy against the powerful San Francisco defense. 

But a home win is not beyond the Redskins, and the 49ers present plenty of vulnerable areas to attack.