3 toughest non-divisional games for Washington in 2022

2. Away vs 49ers

We are BIG San Francisco 49ers fans after they eliminated the Dallas Cowboys on the road in the first round of the playoffs. We grew even fonder of Kyle Shanahan’s group after they walked into Lambeau Field and upset the Green Bay Packers in snowy conditions and temperatures well below freezing.

Say what you will about Aaron Rodgers’ playoff record, that’s an impressive victory for a team that had Jimmy Garoppolo under center.

If Trey Lance is the 49ers’ QB1 next season, it’s very possible they’re even more dangerous than they were in 2021. Just think of how many different looks Shanahan can throw with the dual-threat stud running the offense.

Imagine a shotgun set with Deebo Samuel, who’s literally created a new position as a WR/RB hybrid, lined up next to Lance? At that point, Shanahan would just be playing mind games with Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio.

With a dominant rushing attack led by Trent Williams and George Kittle, dynamic playmakers scattered throughout the offense in Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Elijah Mitchell and a defense, led by Pro Bowl talents Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, that loves getting physical, the 49ers are a nightmare matchup for any team.

While Washington has the horses to slow down San Fran’s rushing attack, we saw in the Week 15 loss to Philadelphia, when they gave up 238 rushing yards, that they’re more than capable of getting bullied in the trenches.