On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Football Team and San Francisco 49ers will meet in Glendale, Arizona, the temporary home field for the 49ers amidst COVID-19 lockdowns in California. The 49ers lead the all-time series between the two teams, 18-10-1, and have won the last five of six meetings. Both teams enter Week 14 with a 5-7 record on the season. San Francisco was defeated by the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, while Washington pulled off the upset of the week and put an end to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ undefeated season.
Washington Football Club
Offense
Alex Smith completed 31 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown last week. In his last two of three games on the road, Smith has 30 or more completions. On the season, he has 138 completions for 1,363 yards, four interceptions, and five touchdowns. Smith was drafted by the 49ers in 2005 and threw for 14,280 yards and 81 touchdowns in 80 games with them.
J.D. McKissic set career-high records in Week 13 with ten receptions and 70 receiving yards. He is one of three running backs with five or more receptions in at least six games this season (Mike Davis, Alvin Kamara). McKissic ranks second among running backs in receptions (56) and receiving yards (408), which are both a career-high.
Rookie Antonio Gibson has eight rushing touchdowns in the last six games and is tied for third in the NFL in rushing touchdowns and ranks third among rookies in rushing yards. However, he is ruled out for this week, so expect McKissic to lead the running game.
Terry McLaurin is one of three NFC wide receivers (Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins) with seven games of seven or more receptions this season and has posted 71 receptions for 977 yards, both career-highs this season.
Logan Thomas put up a career-high nine receptions for 98 yards (also a career-high) and one touchdown last week. Thomas has reached career-highs in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2020.
Cam Sims also posted career-high numbers in the game against the Steelers with five receptions and 92 yards.
Defense
Jon Bostic led the team last week with 10 tackles as well as posting his third career pick-six. He is aiming for a third consecutive game with seven or more tackles in Week 14.
Montez Sweat also posted a career-high three pass deflections in Week 13 and is one of three defensive linemen with three pass deflections in each game this season (Calais Campbell, J.J. Watt).
Chase Young leads all rookies with four and a half sacks and seven tackles for loss this season and fellow rookie, Kamren Curl is going for his sixth game in a row with eight or more tackles.
San Francisco 49ers
Offense
Nick Mullens passed for 316 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 95.7 rating last week. Mullens posted his fourth career game with 300 plus passing yards and his third career game with three or more touchdown passes.
Jeff Wilson had 58 scrimmage yards last week and has five touchdowns in five of the last six games, while Raheem Mostert has 75 or more scrimmage yards in three of his last four games at home.
Rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had five receptions for 95 yards and a receiving touchdown in Week 13. He is aiming for his fourth consecutive game with a touchdown catch, and his fifth consecutive with five or more receptions and at least 75 receiving yards.
Deebo Samuel had six receptions for 73 yards last week and is aiming for his fifth consecutive game with five or more catches and 60-plus receiving yards. Jordan Reed recorded his third touchdown catch of the season against the Bills.
Kyle Juszczyk put up his first touchdown of the season last week, his ninth of his career. Juszczyk played for Washington from 2013-18 and recorded 329 receptions for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Defense
Fred Warner had his second career fumble recovery last week and leads the 49ers in tackles with 91 on the year. Warner needs nine tackles this week for his third consecutive 100 plus tackles season.
Dre Greenlaw seeks his ninth game in a row with six or more tackles, while Jimmie Ward has four or more tackles in each of his first 11 games this season. Ward also has four or more sacks in each of his 11 games this season.
Kerry Hyder has three sacks, four tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in the last three games and is aiming for his fourth consecutive game with at least one tackle for loss.
Dion Jordan put up his second sack of the season and his third career forced fumble in Week 13. Jason Verrett had a career-high 11 tackles last week and has a pass deflection in two of his last three games.
Game Info
Date: December 13, 2020
Time: 1:25 P.M. pst
Location: Glendale, AZ
Venue: State Farm Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: WAS +3 (-110) | SF -3 (-110)
Moneyline: WAS +125 | SF -155
Over/Under: O 43.5 (-110) | U 43.5 (-110)
While Washington will come into this game fresh off of last week’s upset, San Francisco comes into this game motivated to add to the win column. San Francisco shut out Washington 9-0 the last time they met and have averaged 23.8 points per game on the season, while Washington has averaged 22 points per game. Based on the average points per game for each team, it is pretty safe to say to put your money towards the over.
Prediction
Although San Francisco is still pretty battered with injuries, the majority of their core players are back on the field. Offensively, San Francisco should run over Washington, but Washington has the stronger defensive line. Even though this is a home game for the 49ers, they won’t really have the home-field advantage, although they will be able to play in front of spectators in Arizona. This won’t be a repeat of the last meeting and if San Francisco’s defensive line doesn’t stop Washington’s offense, it will be a high scoring affair.
Final Score: Washington Football Team, 24 – San Francisco 49ers, 31
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
