Niner Noise
FanSided

Week 7 position grades, analysis following 49ers win over Redskins

By Akshaj Dwivedula

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a first down with teammate wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 20: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a first down with teammate wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 against the Washington Redskins during the third quarter at FedExField on October 20, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers won in an ugly affair, grinding out a 9-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in Week 7, where neither team truly deserved to win. Niner Noise hands out grades to the undefeated Niners.

The San Francisco 49ers remain undefeated in this 2019 season, moving to 6-0 following their Week 7 9-0 victory over the Washington Redskins. However, if last week’s victory against the Los Angeles Rams proved the Niners are legit, this week’s game casts doubt over how far this team can truly go.

Right off the bat, the signs of a struggle were there. Rain was pouring before and during the game, rendering the entire field into a sloppy and muddy mess. Conditions were not conducive to a high-scoring game.

To start the game, the Redskins received the ball and ran the football down the field. Much like last week’s first drive, run after run gashed the 49ers defense until the very end, when the Niners held firm, forcing a Dustin Hopkins field-goal attempt. He missed.

The Niners offense was far worse, constantly stalling out. Their best opportunity came off favorable field position, when the offense moved 28 yards before kicker Robbie Gould missed yet another field goal.

The biggest play of the first half came from the 49ers defense. With the Redskins threatening but facing a 4th-and-inches, they went for it, with running back Adrian Peterson running against the 49ers defensive line.

The result: same as last week:

The first half ended with a 0-0 tie. The second half was not much better to start, including a brutal quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo interception. But the Niners offense got a little more juice, resulting in three points and the defense saved the day with another forced turnover:

Linebacker Kwon Alexander forced a fumble, the Redskins hope was broken and the 49ers walked away with a victory.

In any game so greatly defined by its circumstances, grades are difficult, so expect a bit of a curve. That said, there’s a lot to dive into.