Redskins studs and duds in Week 7 loss to San Francisco

Stud No. 2 – Troy Apke

Starting free safety Montae Nicholson left the game early in the second half due to an ankle injury, and in his place, second-year special teamer Troy Apke played the center fielder role on defense.

Apke was up and down on the day, but in this game, any positive momentum change was stud-worthy, and Apke generated perhaps the most fruitful momentum change of the day for the Redskins.

It was fourth and 5, and the 49ers decided to go for it near midfield. At that point, the score was still 0-0, and Garoppolo decided to be aggressive, and loop the football down the left sideline. Garoppolo didn’t account for the safety help, and his high ball allowed Apke time to dash over and undercut the pass just before it reached Dante Pettis. Apke then reset his feet and returned the interception over 30 yards, all the way back to midfield.

Unfortunately, the Redskins offense couldn’t do anything with the turnover and the good field position; they went three and out shortly after coming onto the field. But Apke, with his speed and opportunistic play, provided them with the chance to take the lead. Apke would later get picked on by the 49ers on a few pass plays, but had the Redskins offense capitalized on his crucial pick, the 49ers might have been playing from behind, and not bolstering a lead.