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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) /
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Matt Breida (22) runs the ball against Arizona October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Matt Breida (22) runs the ball against Arizona October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Matt Breida needs more carries

Two weeks ago in Indianapolis, running back Matt Breida actually had more carries and yards than No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde, as Kyle Shanahan “went with the hot hand.”

The 49ers started Hyde, but he finished with just eight carries and just one reception. Breida had 10 carries for 49 yards and three receptions for 22 yards (on five targets), while Hyde had eight rushes for just 11 yards and one reception for seven yards (on one target).

But this past Sunday was a different story.

Hyde saw more action against the Redskins, carrying 13 times for just 28 yards (2.2 average) and hauling in five receptions for 47 yards. Breida, meanwhile, had just four carries for 21 yards (5.3 average) and two catches for 15 yards. And with the Niners trailing early by 17, it forced more pass plays in order to get them back in the game.

When Shanahan was in Atlanta, he was fortunate to have the tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the backfield. And he utilized both to form a terrific tandem. With Hyde and Breida, Shanahan is hoping to play each during the game, and see how well each performs throughout.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

And while Hyde is bigger (6-foo-0, 236 pounds) than Breida (5-foot-11, 190 pounds), the former has a history of getting dinged up during the season, as he has already missed 14 games in his three-plus seasons .

Breida may see more carries as the season goes on, especially with Hyde’s history.

With rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard now under center, a strong running game can be a quarterback’s best friend. It can also extend drives, eat some clock and allow the defense to get much needed rest throughout the game.

And if Breida continues to outproduce Hyde, the majority of touches may be going to him sooner rather than later.