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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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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Dee Ford #55 and Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of the quarterback against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Dee Ford #55 and Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of the quarterback against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Week 7 Matchups, X-Factors for 49ers

San Francisco already showed the ability to get by, offensively, without Kyle Juszczyk. After all, the Niners racked up 331 yards of total offense against the Rams, who currently own the 12th best defense, in terms of yards given up.

That said, Washington has some talent up front along its defensive line, which is one of the matchups to watch in Week 7.

49ers Running Backs vs. Redskins Defensive Front Seven

The Niners have used their stout rush attack to propel their offense this season, currently averaging 179.8 yards per game.

Washington is allowing 4.6 yards per carry here, which is good for 19th, but defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are two of the better interior run stoppers in the league.

San Francisco’s patchwork offensive line will have to be on point once again for this contest.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle vs. Landon Collins

Strong safety Landon Collins is having himself a solid season for the Redskins despite the rest of the team’s defensive woes. He’ll find himself frequently covering the Niners’ top pass catcher, George Kittle, on Sunday.

Kittle finally had a 100-yard game last week, and one should look for him to continue as the team’s primary offensive weapon through the air.

49ers Defensive Line vs. Redskins Offensive Line

The Niners defensive line has taken over games this season, and their last two wins are indicative of just how strong this unit is. It flustered Rams quarterback Jared Goff over four quarters in Week 6, holding him to just 78 yards passing.

And Case Keenum could be due for another similar situation.

According to Football Outsiders, Washington’s offensive line ranks 17th in pass protection, even worse than that of the Rams.

Revenge Game for Kyle Shanahan

Kyle Shanahan failed to get his grudge match back in 2017 when these two teams last played, as the 49ers lost that particular road match en route to a 6-10 season.

Now, the script is entirely in San Francisco’s favor.

Shanahan, whose tenure with Washington did not end well, and his relationship with Redskins owner Dan Snyder is probably best described as “cold,” won’t have any problem embarrassing his former team as much as possible on Sunday.

So, how can you watch that all happen?