Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Redskins: The good, bad and ugly from Week 6 loss to Washington

By Peter Panacy

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins talk after the Washington Redskins defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 26-24, at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins talk after the Washington Redskins defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 26-24, at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Bad

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

There’s no way around it, quarterback Brian Hoyer hasn’t been good this season.

Aside from his Week 3 efforts against the Los Angeles Rams, Hoyer’s inability to end drives with touchdowns has been a constant, a reason for Kyle Shanahan to make the switch to C.J. Beathard.

Hoyer’s issues haven’t been the only problem for San Francisco, though. Many of the same issues that have plagued the Niners offense continued into Week 6 well beyond the quarterback switch.

And there are plenty of defensive shortcomings too.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer

It’s premature to assume Beathard is the answer for San Francisco. But it’s pretty clear Hoyer is anything but ineffective.

Hoyer’s day ended in the second quarter after he went a mere 4-of-11 for 34 yards and passer rating of 45.3.

Barring the crazy, injuries or a complete meltdown by Beathard, we won’t see Hoyer taking starting reps for the rest of 2017.

49ers Offensive Line

Granted, the Redskins are pretty solid within their front seven. But the 49ers offensive line didn’t do too many favors over the course of the contest.

Left tackle Joe Staley was beat for a bad sack, and right tackle Trent Brown committed two costly false starts. More on penalties later, but these two are supposed to be San Francisco’s best anchors of this unit.

Still, the biggest O-line issues have been on the interior. Center Daniel Kilgore was overworked in pass protection, and left guard Laken Tomlinson’s struggles in run blocking continued for much of the game.

It’s a safe bet the Niners make some serious changes to this group in 2018.

49ers Interior Defense

The Redskins made it a point to attack the interior of San Francisco’s defense, especially following the Niners’ release of linebacker NaVorro Bowman last week.

Instead of Bowman and an injured Reuben Foster (ankle), the 49ers were forced to roll the dice with Ray-Ray Armstrong and the frequent special teams ace, Brock Coyle.

The results were… well, a lot like 2016.

Granted, Washington averaged just 2.8 yards per rushing attempt. But a number of key missed tackles and assignments from this group hurt San Francisco’s overall defensive efforts.

Foster can’t get back soon enough.