49ers improve to 6-0 after winning rainy defensive showdown vs. Redskins

Neither the San Francisco 49ers, nor the Washington Redskins were able to get off to much of a start, offensively, in Week 7 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Instead, the weather conditions and stout defenses from both sides won out, as both the Niners and Redskins found themselves scoreless after one half of play. Both teams' kickers, Robbie Gould and Dustin Hopkins, missed first-half field-goal attempts. And quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had more rush yards in the first two quarters (20) than he did pass yards (10).

San Francisco went on to win 9-0, though, putting its season record at 6-0 on the year. Washington, meanwhile falls to 1-6.

Garoppolo was 12-of-21 for 151 yards, zero touchdowns against an interception. His counterpart, Redskins quarterback Case Keenum, also struggled with the rain and a swarming Niners defense. He finished 9-of-12 for just 77 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions and a passer rating of 91.3.

While both teams' defenses did their respective jobs, the 49ers continued their excellent play by holding Washington to 154 all-purpose yards on the day, sacking Keenum three times and continuing their efforts against fourth-down conversion attempts. The Redskins were 3-of-9 on third down and 0-of-1 of fourth-down tries.

San Francisco finally found some offensive rhythm midway through the third quarter, moving into the red zone after back-to-back chunk completions to wide receivers Richie James and Kendrick Bourne. But that red-zone drive stalled short, which led to Gould making a 28-yard try to put the Niners up 3-0. Washington threatened its following drive, yet linebacker Kwon Alexander forced a fumble out of the hands of Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, which defensive tackle Jullian Taylor recovered:

The Niners managed a key fourth-down conversion on their following possession, thanks to a diving grab by tight end Ross Dwelley. Garoppolo then targeted Bourne on the following play to get inside the Redskins' 10-yard line. Yet this red-zone drive stalled, too, which led to another Gould field goal. San Francisco took a 6-0 lead at that point, which kept Washington in the game with just over nine minutes left in regulation.

The Redskins went 3-and-out in their next attempt to break into the 49ers' lead, thanks to yet more smothering from coordinator Robert Saleh's defense.

Gould tacked on another field goal with 23 second remaining to all but guarantee the Niners victory, as Washington wasn't in position to respond enough.

And while it wasn't pretty, especially on offense, the 49ers will take the road win amid sloppy conditions while keeping their undefeated streak alive.

• Written by:
  Peter Panacy
  Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
  All articles by Peter Panacy
  @PeterPanacy

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