The San Francisco 49ers clinched their first NFC West division title since 2019 and will continue to chase the highest possible playoff seed when they face the Washington Commanders on Christmas Eve at Levi’s Stadium.
This game was supposed to be a matchup between two athletic strong-armed quarterbacks from North Dakota State. Instead of Carson Wentz and Trey Lance it will be Taylor Heinicke and Brock Purdy, two undersized players with average arms who win more than they lose.
After starting the season 1-4, Washington has won six of their last nine. The Commanders currently hold a half game lead over Seattle and Detroit for the final spot in the NFC playoffs.
Here are five things to watch for during the game.
1.) Will Brock Purdy find a rhythm?
Purdy has been impressive over the last three weeks. Since stepping in for Jimmy Garoppolo after only eight snaps against Miami, the rookie quarterback has completed 69 percent of his passes for 612 yards, and a rating of 108.83. He has also thrown at least two touchdown passes in all three games.
Last week against Seattle, Purdy completed his first 11 passes during the first 18 minutes. However, from that point on he struggled. Over the final 42 minutes Purdy was able to connect on only six of 15 attempts.
Next up is a Washington defense which has allowed only 5.1 net yards per pass attempt over its last five games and held its opponents to 21 points or less over their last ten game. The Commanders defense has also allowed the fewest plays and lowest time of possession per possession in the league.
2.) Can the 49ers offensive line get the job done?
One of the bright spots for San Francisco this season has been the play of the offensive line.
This group underwent a major overhaul during the offseason. Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel and Spencer Burford gave the 49ers three new starters up front, and questions abounded. They have responded by allowing a sack on only 5.2 percent of drop backs through the first 14 weeks, by far the lowest total since Kyle Shanahan became head coach in 2017.
On Saturday big guys up front will face their next test. Washington has one of the best pass rushing defenses in the NFL. Their sack percentage of 7.23 is nearly identical to the 7.26 posted by the 49ers.
Making that number more impressive, they’ve accomplished it without Chase Young.
The 2020 AP Defensive rookie of the year is set to return to action after missing over a calendar year due to knee injuries.
For Washington the pass rush is led by defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen who have combined for 16 sacks. These two will challenge the 49ers interior while Montez Sweat, seven sacks this season, will look to get the better of Mike McGlinchey.
3.) Can the 49ers defense take away the Washington running game?
Washington comes into Saturday wanting to run the ball, that’s no secret. The Commanders, led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson have rushed for over 150 yards in their last five games.
During this stretch Robinson Jr. has gained at least 86 yards four times. The one game in which he fell short Gibson rushed for 72 yards.
The 49ers defense has been dominant against the run this season. They have allowed over 150 yards only once and have not allowed a single rusher to gain over 59 yards.
San Francisco will have its starting defensive line from week one back together for the first time since September. The 49ers are expected to activate defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw off injured reserve and Arik Armstead has played well over the last three weeks after returning from injury.
The battle up front on both sides of the ball will be fun to watch all day.
4.) Can the 49ers force Taylor Heinicke into mistakes?
Heinicke has gone 5-2-1 since replacing Carson Wentz, but he’s shown a propensity for giving up the ball. He has turned the ball over at least once in the last three weeks.
As is the case with Brock Purdy, Heinicke will be facing a 49ers defense which gets after the passer. San Francisco has recorded just under three sacks per game this season. On Saturday Nick Bosa and company will face a Washington offensive that is allowing nearly the same number.
5.) Which team creates the most turnovers?
San Francisco has feasted on turnovers this season. During their current seven game win streak the 49ers are plus-10 in turnovers, forcing 13 and giving up three.
Since the start of last season San Francisco is 19-3 when they don’t turn the ball over more than their opponents compared to 1-9 when they do.
The results have been very similar for Washington. The Commanders only win this season when turning the ball over more than their opponents came in week one against Jacksonville. They are winless in the other five.
Washington comes into this game having turned the ball over at least once in seven of their last eight games.
Prediction:
49ers 17 Commanders 13
The most difficult task for any team after securing a playoff berth is maintaining motivation.
I beleive the 9ers do and win their 8th game in a row.
Jack, thanks for pointing out how well the O line has played this season.
Go 9ers.
This week is the O lines biggest test. Surprisingly their pass blocking has been top 10 but their run blocking has been highly inconsistent. If they can protect Purdy and Avg at least 4.8 yards a carry this week I will go into the post season with a little confidence. I wait every week for Purdy to fall apart and every week he proves me wrong although like Jack pointed out he was pretty miserable after a red hot start to the Sea. game. What worries me most is because of Wash. doesn’t hold any tie breakers with the Giants, Lions and Seahawks they are a team with their back against the wall. There is nothing more dangerous than a cornered animal. Lets hope the short week and cross country flight have an effect on the commanders. L won’t pick a winner this week but I will say to all you bettors out there, take the Commanders and 7.
Old Coach
* “This week is the O lines biggest test.” Their names are Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, because every QB struggles when pressure comes directly up the middle.
* Allen is a Pro Bowler for the second consecutive year and could be en route to an All-Pro nod. His 47 pressures are tied for fifth among interior DL per PFF. He also has 7.5 sacks and 17 QB hits.
He lines up alongside Payne who is tied for the 13th among interior D-linemen with 37 pressures. He’s turned those into a career-high 8.5 sacks with a career-high 16 QB hits.
* They will line up against 9ers LG Aaron Banks, qho is leading the 49ers in pressures allowed with 25. Center Jake Brendel has allowed 10 pressures, and the RG tandem of Spencer Burford and Daniel Brunskill have given up a combined 19.
So yes, we are going to find out how well Purdy can HANDLE THE PRESSURE.
We are also going to find out if the 9er IOL can open holes for the RB’s, or if it all falls on Purdy’s arm to get the 9er win.
9ERS 17 WASH 14
Thanks Jack,
And I second Hacksaw’ appreciation of you giving the Oline recognition.
Hacksaw,
Motivation will be a factor against Washington. The 49ers have locked up a playoff birth and Washington comes in desperately needing to stay in the playoffs race.
Also, having Chase Young back will be a big physical and emotional boost to the defense.
Not predicting any score, but this is the type of game that could go either way. I absolutely want to see a 49ers win, but I would not be surprised if Washington pulls this one out.
OK, here it is.
Imo: Niners win 24 – 13 but Wash. Gives them a hard time.
I don’t have a score but I think the Niners cover the spread.
I say 23-10 Niners I think it’s early defensive battle and something like 9-3 at half and we make some adjustments with cmc and BA getting touchdown a piece.
6. Will Kinlaw find his way back onto IR?
A bunch of Seahawks came out on the field this morning with their shirts off to make a point in KC.
They promptly started the game down 17 nothing.
This write-up is basically a fascinating prosperity of useful useful That could be exciting and really nicely-penned. I commend your exertions on this and thanks for this specifics. I understand it exceptionally correctly that if Absolutely everyone visits your web site site, then he/she will definitely revisit it over again. สมัครslotpg
que seria o fim deste post. Aqui vocês vão encontrar alguns sites que achamos que vão valorizar, simplesmente clicar nos hiperlinks para cima
https://www.texasholdemsite.info/