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Three keys to victory for the Washington Football Team vs. 49ers

By Jacob Troutman

Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera claps from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera claps from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Stop the run

Starting fast is very important but stopping the run on defense will be equally as important. Shanahan used to coach in Washington so fans should know, he loves an offense that has balance. He does not want to create any favorable tendencies. It is what makes him such a good coach, he is so detail-oriented.

Here is how you force San Francisco to operate unbalanced. You stop the run. That is what Shanahan will try to establish, especially with a backup quarterback starting.

Shanahan runs an outside zone scheme. This means his running game is very much centered on attacking gaps or zones. This means the Washington Football Team will need to play gap sound football. The defensive line will need to be its usual disruptive self up front and the linebackers will need to make plays.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Cole Holcomb, Jon Bostic, and Kevin Pierre-Louis in particular must be sound in their gaps. Getting out of those gaps can result in big plays. Disciplined, sound football from Washington will be crucial.

Shanahan will be even more inclined to do so when he sees how the Washington Football Team fared against the run this year.

In the past three weeks, against teams who don’t look to run the ball often anyway, Washington has been better. However, against teams like the Lions and Giants, teams who wanted to run the ball, they got gashed. Against the Giants, Washington allowed 166 on the ground and against Detroit they allowed D’Andre Swift to average 5.1 yards a carry on 16 carries.

Washington cannot let the run game get established like in those ball games. If they do, that opens up the playbook for Shanahan. He can start calling more play-action and run-pass options. It will open up the playbook for a downfield passing attack that will simultaneously make the game easier for Mullens.

If you get gashed on the ground, Kyle Shanahan will methodically beat your defense. Think about what Jared Goff and Sean McVay did to the Washington Football Team in Week 5. That is what will happen: A methodical beat down. Do not get beat on the ground, Shanahan is too good of a play-caller to let his offense get going early.

Stop the run and force Nick Mullens to beat you.

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