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49ers vs. Redskins: Full Week 7 preview, breakdown for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with a fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with a fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 29: Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins walks on the sideline in the third quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 29: Case Keenum #8 of the Washington Redskins walks on the sideline in the third quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Quarterback Comparison: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Case Keenum

The Redskins’ tumult in 2019 has extended to the quarterback situation. The rookie, Dwayne Haskins, saw action just once this season under Jay Gruden, and it didn’t go well. But for the most part, all signs point to the veteran, Case Keenum, getting the nod under center for Bill Callahan.

Keenum missed Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury, yet he was able to return to practice Thursday and is on track to play against San Francisco.

Case Keenum

Washington’s problems include Keenum, yes. But he’s not exactly responsible for all of them. Currently, he’s completing 65.6 percent of his passes, which ranks 12th best among qualifiers, and his 94.7 passer rating ranks 17th.

But a lot of this is because of Keenum relying on short and intermediate passes. According to NextGen Stats, Keenum’s average-completed air yards sit at 5.4, which is towards the bottom tier.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is even lower, at 4.9. But that’s indicative of his strengths. If there’s a positive for Keenum, he has a better interception percentage than his counterpart: 2.5 percent to Garoppolo’s 3.4.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Garoppolo might be driving the Niners success in 2019, but he’s surely helped. His 69.9 completion percentage actually ranks fourth best in the league, while his 95.2 passer rating is 15th — two spots ahead of Keenum.

True, Garoppolo has had some issues turning the ball over this season. He’s tossed an interception in each game except one this season, Week 5 versus the Cleveland Browns.

But a big difference between the two is what Garoppolo’s receiving targets are doing after the catch. In total, the 49ers are averaging 7.5 yards per pass play, which is fifth best in the league.

In contrast, Washington is at 5.6 yards per pass — 28th.

Yet Garoppolo and the Niners still have to manage some critical injuries in Week 7.