The Redskins make their first appearance at 3Com Park since 1992 and their first regular-season trip to San Francisco since 1990 looking to end their losing ways in this series as these clubs collide for the third time in four years.

Including playoffs, the 49ers own a 15-7-1 advantage in this rivalry (including a 3-1 mark in playoffs) and have prevailed in the last seven meetings, including a 45-10 Monday night triumph last season at Washington (Week 2) in the last battle between the teams.

Including playoffs, the 'Skins have dropped five straight at San Francisco dating back to 1984, their last visit to the Bay Area resulting in a 20-13 loss in the 1992 NFC Divisional Playoffs.

The Redskins' last regular-season visit to San Francisco resulted in a 26-13 loss in 1990.

As for Washington's last road win in this series, the Redskins posted a 24-21 triumph in 1976. .

Numbers: After allowing 1,217 yards rushing (135.2 YPG) in their first 9 games (140 or more yards rushing in 5 of those contests, Redskins have allowed just 387 yards rushing (77.4 YPG) in their last 5 games, allowing fewer than 100 yards rushing in 4 of those contests. In his last 16 starts (2 with Minnesota in 1998, 14 with Washington in 1999), Redskins QB Brad Johnson has thrown for 3,856 yards, 27 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions, with his team scoring a combined 465 points (31, 38, 35, 50, 27, 38, 24, 20, 48, 17, 28, 23, 20, 17, 28 and 21 points) in those contests. IF HE PLAYS: Redskins RB Stephen Davis has rushed for 1,405 yards and 17 touchdowns in 14 games in 1999, running for 100-plus yards in 6 of those contests. In his three previous seasons (1996-98), Davis rushed for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns in 42 games and had failed to gain 100 or more yards rushing in any of those contests. After allowing a team-record 61 sacks in 16 games in '98 (3 or more sacks in 13 of those contests), the Redskins have allowed 26 sacks in 14 games in '99, 3 or more sacks in just 4 of those 14 contests. The Redskins have allowed 8 sacks in 8 wins, 18 sacks in 6 losses in '99. After scoring just 93 points in their first 7 games (0-7), the Redskins have scored 622 points in their last 23 contests (14-9) dating back to '98. The Redskins have committed 17 turnovers in their last 7 games (3-4) after committing just 7 turnovers in their first 7 contests (5-2) in '99. The Redskins have allowed 142 points in 8 wins, 205 points in 6 losses in '99.

The 49ers have allowed 40 or more points in 5-of-14 games in '99. Including playoffs, the 49ers have allowed 76 sacks in their last 27 games dating back to '98. The 49ers have committed two turnovers in four wins, 27 turnovers in 10 losses in '99. The 49ers have been outscored a combined 113-27 in the third quarter in 14 games in '99.

Things to look for: Despite a loss at Indianapolis a week ago, the Redskins are starting to look like more of a complete football team as their much-maligned defensive unit is starting to make strides against the run. And they will need to play big here as 49ers' RB Charlie Garner has been one of the lone bright spots for Steve Mariucci's 49ers, which may still have one more surprise left up their shoulder pads.

Etc.: The 49ers have not been shutout in an NFL-record 352 consecutive games. 49ers WR Jerry Rice, already the NFL's all-time leader in receptions (1,195), needs 5 catches to reach 1,200 career receptions. Rice has caught at least one pass in an NFL-record 207 straight games