Washington Football Team vs. 49ers Week 14 preview, score prediction
By Ian Cummings
Washington Football Team defense vs. 49ers offense
Going up against a Kyle Shanahan-coached offense is never easy, but the 49ers haven’t had an easy run through 2020 on the offensive side of the ball. Injuries have run rampant, and just as their skill position players are starting to get healthy, they have backup quarterback Nick Mullens passing the ball.
The 49ers have still found modest success in terms of yardage output, but the offense has not been as efficient or reliable with Mullens under center. In eight games, Mullens has thrown nine interceptions to nine touchdowns, and he’s also lost two fumbles, for a total of 11 turnovers.
If the Washington Football Team’s defense can play as well as it did against Pittsburgh’s run-after-catch offense, then they can force Mullens to press downfield and potentially make mistakes. On Monday, Washington’s linebackers and safeties played with incredible speed and urgency, and the defensive line constantly made Ben Roethlisberger uncomfortable. If that continues, then Washington can continue to exert control.
There are some threats that need attention on San Francisco’s offense, however. Raheem Mostert remains a home-run threat from the backfield with his speed, and explosive rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has caught fire as of late, with 26 receptions, 376 yards, and three scores in his last four games.
For Washington’s defense, it all revolves around the basic formula: Get penetration on the defensive line, and play fast and instinctive on the second and third levels. If players like Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Kamren Curl can continue to check those boxes, then they’ll have a good chance.