Impact player It’s hard to find a better inside linebacker in the NFC than Patrick Willis. He finished with 13 tackles, knocked away one pass and forced two fumbles. He caused a fumble before halftime that the 49ers turned into a touchdown and 13-0 lead.
Under the radar
Recommended Stories
It’s tough to say that running back Frank Gore was under the radar when he rushed for 107 yards, averaging 5.6 a carry. His long of 27 came after he broke a Reed Doughty tackle at the line. Gore — and the defense — allows the 49ers to play a safe offense.
Did you notice …
What a poor job Brandon Banks did on returns? Of course you did. Banks committed a mistake college freshman shouldn’t make, trying to field a punt after backpedaling to the 3. He muffed that punt and then another one later that he eventually recovered.
From the sidelines
The 49ers played more zone coverage under coach Jim Harbaugh than the Redskins anticipated, forcing Washington on long drives it could not sustain. Offensively the 49ers played it safe; they were never forced to do otherwise.
Coach Mike Shanahan’s offense is not working. There wasn’t real progress before the injuries; there’s even less afterward. The injuries are a factor, but staking his reputation on QBs who struggle is another.
– John Keim
