Game Preview, Week 16: Washington at San Francisco
December 23, 2022
by Steve Thomas
Don’t worry; all is not lost. Yes, Washington lost their most important game of the season to date in difficult fashion, complete with multiple controversial penalty calls, or lack thereof. As of now, though, Washington remains in the 7th and final playoff spot. All they need to do in order to keep that spot is win the next three games. First up is the San Francisco 49ers, who are 10 – 4 and have won 7 in a row. I never said it would be easy. It’s basically playoff time for the Redskins Washington Football Team Commanders Washington C-Words Washington, so they’ll need to figure out a game plan that results in victory. Is it possible? Yes. Likely? Certainly not. All will be determined late Sunday afternoon. Our game preview starts below.
Game time & location: Saturday, December 24, 2022, 1:05 p.m. PT, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California; Gates open 11:05 a.m. PT; club entrances 10:05 a.m. PT; parking lots open 9:35 a.m. PT
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: The Team 980
Washington radio network: click here
49ers radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 233 (SF broad.) / 380 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
49ers roster: click here
49ers depth chart: click here
Records: Washington 7 – 6 – 1 (away: 4 – 3); San Francisco 10 – 4 (home: 6 – 1)
All-time head-to-head record vs 49ers: 11 – 18 – 1 (last 10: 4 – 6; streak: 1 – 0)
Last meeting: W, December 13, 2022, 23 – 15
Early odds: 49ers, -7
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Put quarterback Brock Purdy under relentless pressure
Purdy has stormed the NFL thanks to the injury to starter Jimmy Garoppolo, rising from being this year’s Mr. Irrelevant to starter on one of the best teams in the NFL. Purdy has been outstanding in his two starts, proving that lower-drafted rookie quarterbacks can succeed. Washington needs to make Purdy immensely uncomfortable, without significant blitzing. The 49ers are talented enough that Washington probably can’t afford to take linebackers or secondary planers out of coverage in order to blitz. Therefore, the front four needs to have an outstanding game.
Contain Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is having another quality season with his new team, both on the ground and as a receiver. He’s exactly the type of player Washington could conceivably have problems with, so they need to focus on keeping him from the big play, but also from getting into a rhythm on the ground. This won’t be an easy task, but it’s critical to Washington’s chances for a win.
Establish a consistent passing attack
San Francisco has given up the least points and the least total yards in the NFL this year, so the idea that Washington’s substandard offense can break out is a fantasy. But they have to have a game plan, and it needs to include increased reliance on Taylor Heinicke’s arm, as strange as that sounds. The reason is that San Francisco’s run defense is #1 in the NFL, having surrendered just 3.4 yards per carry. Passing game, Washington needs you this week.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Bosa is a perennial All Pro and probable future hall of famer who already has 15.5 sacks this season. Leno is an average to perhaps slightly above-average, at best, left tackle. This has the potential to go horribly wrong, but it’s a very high-visibility matchup this week. Plus, if Washington is going to pass more this week, they’ll need Taylor Heinicke upright and functional.
Jamin Davis vs. Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is probably San Francisco’s best weapon. This week, Washington needs its speedy linebacker to be all over McCaffrey, in order to keep him from both rushing at a 4.5+ yards per carry clip and killing Washington in the short passing game. If, as many believe, Davis really has improved in year 2 of his career and in his new role, this more than any other week is his opportunity to prove it.
Chase Young vs. Trent Williams
Honestly, I’m tired of continuing to write about Young in this space every week, and I promised myself I wouldn’t do it again here, but it appears as though he’s actually coming back this week, and Young vs Redskins Traitor Trent Williams has the potential to be an epic battle that will attract national attention. I’ll be very curious to see if Young can make any headway against a left tackle as talented as Williams, particularly in his first game back. Keep an eye out on this matchup, because everyone else sure will be. If it actually happens.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | 49ers |
| T/G S. Charles, concussion; Tue: DNP; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; game: O | QB J. Garoppolo, foot; Tue: DNP; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; game: O |
| S K. Curl, ankle; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; game: Q | DL K. Givens, knee; Tue: DNP; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; game: O |
| RB A. Gibson, foot; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP | DB T. Moore, knee; Tue: LP; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; game: Q |
| G A. Norwell, shoulder; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP | WR D. Samuel, ankle/knee; Tue: DNP; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; game: O |
| CB B. St-Juste, ankle; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; game: Q | DL E. Armstead, foot/ankle; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP |
| DE C. Young, knee; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | DL K. Hyder, ankle; Tue: DNP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; game: Q |
| RB B. Robinson Jr, quad; Tue: FP; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | RB C. McCaffrey, knee; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP |
| QB B. Purdy, oblique/rib; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP | |
| CB A. Thomas, ankle; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; game: Q | |
| CB C. Ward, concussion; Tue: LP; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; game: Q | |
| WR D. Gray, hamstring; Tue: FP; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| T T. Williams, NIR (rest); Tue: DNP; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| CB S. Womack, concussion; Tue: FP; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP | |
| RB J. Mason, hamstring; Tue: NL; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
San Francisco wins 24 – 10. This one’s going to be tough, and frankly I think I may have underestimated the 49ers’ final point total. Adding up the best defense in the league facing a low-scoring offense, a road game, and coming off of a brutal loss doesn’t scream confidence in a Washington victory. At the end of the day, I simply don’t think Washington is going to be able to score many points in this game. 10 might be too high.
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