Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Redskins: 4 takeaways from San Francisco’s loss to Washington

By Robert Smith

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
2 of 5
Next
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

49ers pass rush tool a step back

Over the past two weeks, the 49ers pass rush had accumulated 10 sacks against the Cardinals and Colts, although both teams were struggling with injuries.

Heading into Washington, the Niners knew they would need to pressure Redskins quarteback Kirk Cousins in order to come away victorious. They ended the game with just one sack by rookie Solomon Thomas.

The result: a sixth consecutive loss.

More from SF 49ers News

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and if you can’t get pressure consistently, opposing quarterbacks will pick your secondary apart. And in the case of the 49ers, a struggling secondary will look even worse.

Even with an errant Cousins pass getting picked by Rashard Robinson, the lack of pressure allowed Couisins to throw for 330 yards — the third straight 300-yard passing game against the Niners.

Though it is apparent the 49ers defense is improved from last season’s franchise-worst, that finished dead last in points allowed, their lack of a consistent rush will continue to allow offenses to jump out to leads, pick the secondary apart and put up points in critical fourth-quarter drives.

With the Cowboys and Eagles coming up, the Niners will need to pressure Dallas QB Dak Prescott and Philly’s Carson Wentz to give themselves a chance to gain their first victory in 2017.

Currently, the 49ers are tied for 15th in the NFL in sacks with 14.

If Thomas continues to emerge, and DeForest Buckner can continue providing pressure up the middle, the 49ers may be able to contain opponent’s passing attacks enough to keep them within striking distance.

But hopefully, they start to flip the outcomes in some of these games.