49ers vs. Redskins: 5 Halftime Adjustments San Francisco Must Make

This is a big game for both teams in D.C. today. The Redskins look to bounce back and get themselves back into the playoff conversation. The 49ers don't want to get upset and lose momentum going into their big home game against the New York Giants next week.

The Skins are going to have to get some semblance of the passing game going today, because with Tim Hightower out, they are going to have a rough go against the 49ers' ferocious run defense. The 49ers will also have to get something going through the air, because they've scraped by so far on Frank Gore's back.

Here are five halftime adjustments the 49ers must make to secure a big road win:

1. Move the Ball 

This is a Redskins defense that the 49ers should be able to move the ball on. So far, they have been. But they don't have a lot of points to show for it. They need to continue to pound the ball with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, but also the passing game needs to continue to utilize Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree down field.

If they can keep pushing the ball down field, control the game and put some long drives together, they will slowly drain the life from this Washington team. They are clearly doing a good job of moving down field, but they need more results.

2. Convert on 3rd Down

One of the problems with my first adjustment is that the 49ers have been moving it pretty well, until third down. Once they get to a position where they have had to convert, they can't seem to get past the marker.

Whether it means running a little different type of offense to mix it up, or just executing better, the 49ers can't afford to have so much potential every drive only to settle for a field goal or a punt. It doesn't need to be a shoot out today, since the Washington offense is struggling, but every couple drives it would be nice to convert and get in the red zone.

3. Pressure Beck

John Beck, the Redskins' QB, is really shaky in the pocket when he's blitzed. He's already made a couple really bad throws, including the one Dashon Goldson intercepted. If the 49ers can dial up a heavier blitz scheme in the second half to get Beck's feet moving and force him into a mistake, they will win.

You can see so far that every time he's been pressured, he makes a hurried throw that misses his receiver by a mile. That's huge for the defense; emphasize the pressure and cause a big mistake in the second half that results in turnover and momentum swing.

4. Stuff the Rookie

Roy Helu, the Redskins' rookie RB, has looked pretty good so far. He's no Barry Sanders, but he's making some moves and has broken a couple big tackles. Honestly, it seems as if Washington will have to rely completely on the running game to get points.

And against this Niners' front seven, that's no easy task. But if anything is going to beat them today, it's not going to be John Beck and the passing game. So, if the Niners key on stuffing Helu and the running game, they should be able to keep a big goose egg on the board for Washington.

5. Finish

Finish the game. The 49ers don't have a big lead by any means here at halftime, but they have had problems this season either keeping the throttle down after getting a lead, or just finishing the game in general (exhibit A: Dallas Cowboys). 

Fans don't care if the game is a blow out or an ugly, one-score win. But they do want to see the 49ers win from the beginning to end. That means the coaching staff needs to get this team fired up to run out and keep up the pressure for 30 more minutes and get that big road win.