Michael Westbrook could have a big game against the 49ers secondary.

A few weeks ago, Snyder called players into his office, which then led to a players-only meeting. If Turner leads the Redskins into the playoffs with everything going on behind the scenes, he should be the Coach of the Year. Mariucci has many of the same distractions. The front offices of these two teams haven't helped the situation. They have contributed to the problem on an ongoing basis.

While both scenarios are bad, the worst belongs to Mariucci. Walsh is a legend whose record and abilities as a coach speak for themselves. The problem is Mariucci is working in the same system Walsh basically created. It would be like someone trying to run Microsoft with Bill Gates still pulling the strings. How effective can you be when everyone knows that the inventor is still there? Walsh going back to the 49ers was a big mistake, a fact that has been proven out.

Some of the San Francisco players are now just playing for contracts. With all their salary-cap problems, the 49ers are a minimum of five years away from being a team that can contend for a playoff spot. They need to just cut their losses, regardless of how expensive they might be, and start over.

It's not in Jerry Rice's best interest to come back and play for the 49ers next season. He is at the stage of his career, as is Steve Young, when it is hard to say goodbye to the game. Rice's effectiveness will be more difficult for him the longer he continues. If he thinks this year was tough, next year could be disastrous for him.

The Redskins are at least playing for a division title and are enjoying tremendous health, despite Stephen Davis' sprained ankle and questionable status for Sunday night. The only team they can't match up against is St. Louis, far and away the best team in the NFC. You can make exceptions for some teams: Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Detroit and the New York Giants have had quarterback changes, and Brett Favre in Green Bay hasn't played well.

The Redskins have had all their people on the field all the time and have no excuse. Losing football games like they have might be an indication the they won't be around long in the playoffs.

Here are the keys to Sunday night's game for each team:

Washington Redskins
1. Pick up the passing attack: Lately the Redskins aren't attacking and making big plays downfield as much as they did earlier in the season. They have been effective running the ball with Davis, but the passing game must carry the load against the 49ers because the Redskins defense isn't getting much better. If Brad Johnson doesn't throw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns, then the offense hasn't been very efficient.

Offensively, this game falls on Johnson's shoulders. San Francisco has been extremely susceptible to passing. Look at the game Carolina's Steve Beuerlein, Muhsin Muhammad and Patrick Jeffers had against the 49ers last weekend. Sunday can't get here quickly enough for Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell.

2. Stop Garner: The Redskins defense must stop the run and turn the 49ers into a one-dimensional team. Charlie Garner has come on and done a nice job, gaining more than 1,000 yards. He is the 49ers' best player right now. What got exposed was just how important Steve Young is to the franchise.

The Niners still have Rice, Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes at receiver, and Garner in the backfield. Offensively, the importance of Young has shown through. Without Young, the running game has been their strength. The Redskins must keep the 49ers from trying to control the tempo with Garner.

3. Go get Garcia: Jeff Garcia will have problems if the Redskins can apply pressure. If they sit back and let him throw the football, he will pick the Redskins apart. The Redskins defense has been a baffling situation for more than just a year.

In the first year, you could say they had no players. But then they got players and experienced the same results. They should be a more effective defense and be able to blitz Garcia with the quality players they have at cornerback in Champ Bailey and Darrell Green.

San Francisco 49ers
1. Run Redskins ragged: They need to run the ball with Garner because that is what they do best. They need to make the Redskins be patient, keeping the Washington offense on the sidelines.

2. Outside edge: The 49ers can use their receivers to their advantage. Rice, Owens and Stokes have a size advantage over the Redskins defensive backs and should be able to get them the ball. It's the only chance the 49ers have of winning. Garcia should have time to throw the football because it appears that Redskins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan doesn't want to blitz people.

3. No big plays allowed: The 49ers have never been a strong defensive team, and they lost leadership with the release of a Merton Hanks. The secondary has just been decimated. They have started seven different cornerbacks and haven't found a solution to their problems, which makes it doubly hard on a first-year defensive coordinator like Jim Mora Jr.

The Niners have young players who aren't sure where to go or what to do. In the NFL, if a player moves the wrong way once or hesitates for just a second, it usually results in a big play in the secondary. The 49ers must limit the Redskins' big passing plays, especially early in the game. They can't afford to get behind 17-0.

Former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann works as a game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football. He breaks down the Sunday night matchup every week for ESPN.com.