Washington offense vs. San Francisco defense

	REDSKINS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	3
	Pass	8
	Tot. Yds.	2
	Scoring	2
	Int's allowed	13
	Sacks allowed	26
	49ERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	18
	vs. Pass	27
	Total yds. allowed	26
	# of Ints.	12
	# of Sacks	29
	Turnover differential	-10

On paper, this appears to be a classic mismatch -- a high-powered Redskin offense against the struggling 49er defense -- but with the absence of Washington RB Stephen Davis, the playing field becomes a little more level. Davis is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game versus San Francisco, so his back-up, second-year man Skip Hicks, will be forced to carry the load.

Hicks is a different back than Davis, shiftier and a better runner outside the tackles. This will force the Redskin offensive line to do more pulling and reach blocking than it has been required to do to this point in the season. As a result, the Redskins desperately need veteran LOG Keith Simms to return from a knee injury that has forced him to play only sporadically over the last several weeks, although back-up Brad Badger has not played poorly in relief.

Whoever plays left guard will have their hands full with 49ers DT Bryant Young, who appears to have fully recovered from a broken leg that he suffered last year. Washington is most effective when it uses the run to set-up play action, so expect the Redskins to show a commitment to the running game despite the fact that Davis is injured. WR's Albert Connell and Michael Westbrook should have a field day against an inexperienced San Francisco secondary.

The 49ers have to do everything in their power to slow the Washington offensive attack, and the best way to do so is to keep constant pressure on Redskin QB Brad Johnson. Johnson has proven that he is less effective if he is getting knocked around a lot and is forced to throw on the run, so expect San Francisco to try to come with a variety of blitz packages.

Washington's pass blocking has been outstanding to this point in the season, so San Francisco defensive coordinator Jim Mora is faced with the unpleasant choice of giving Johnson all day in the pocket or forcing his suspect defensive secondary to play on an island for much of the day. When the 'Niners blitz, they will send a lot of guys and try to get to Johnson early to prevent him from finding his receivers for a big play.

It will be interesting to see who will start at RDC for San Francisco this week, as Ramos McDonald was pulled in favor of rookie Pierson Prioleau after blowing several assignments last week against the Panthers. Either way, look for Washington to throw at whichever corner gets the nod, as this position has been an Achilles heel for the team all season.

Over the first 10 games of the season, Garner had been running hard, but was punished as opposing defenses consistently put eight and nine men on the line of scrimmage. With the emergence of Garcia and the passing game, Garner has had more room to make his moves and avoid direct contact with opposing linebackers.

This week against Washington, Garcia should again have another solid game, particularly if the team establishes the run with Garner early. Garner is most effective running outside the tackles so the 49ers should try to run sweeps to both sides of the field. TE Greg Clark is a solid blocker, and should be able to seal-off undersized Redskin LOLB Shawn Barber, creating running lanes and the potential for big plays for Garner. Clark is also a solid receiver, and is becoming a favorite target of Garcia if last week's 5-catch performance against Carolina is any indication.

The play of Washington's defense has improved steadily over the last month, saving defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's job for the time being. The Redskins have gotten better defensively by using their athleticism to pressure opposing quarterbacks, while asking their corners to play a more conservative brand of football.

LDC Champ Bailey and RDC Darrell Green have been keeping opposing receivers in front of them, taking fewer risks and making fundamental tackles. Anthony Cook has been installed at LDE, and his ability to neutralize opposing blockers at the point of attack has allowed his linebackers to come-up and make plays on opposing ball carriers.

In light of the fact that San Francisco QB Garcia has two of the better receivers in the game to throw the ball to, it is imperative that the Redskins disrupt his timing by putting a lot of pressure on him early. Nickel DE Ndukwe Kalu has shouldered much of this responsibility for the Redskins this season, and it will be no different this week as the 'Skins need him to use his quicks to get up field and pressure Garcia.

49er RB Garner is dangerous and to neutralize him, the Redskin defense must string Garner's runs out along the line of scrimmage by holding their assignments at the LOS and forcing Garner to run sideline-to-sideline. When Garner turns the corner, he is capable of turning an apparent short gain into a touchdown.