The Washington Redskins and the San Francisco 49ers met in their NFL clash on Monday Night Football at FedEx Field.
Both sides were coming into the game off back-to-back losses and were looking to get their seasons on the track once again.
The 49ers prevailed and ended their losing run as they dominated the Redskins from the off and cruised to a comfortable victory to move to 7-4 in their campaign.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
Good morning and welcome to the live commentary of the NFL clash between the Washington Redskins and the San Francisco 49ers.
Both teams are coming off a streak of two successive losses so both are in need of a win at FedEx Field in this game.
The 49ers are in dire need of a victory a bit more than the Redskins to keep their playoff hopes alive after falling to 6-4 in their season. The NFC is quite competitive especially in the West division where the Arizona Cardinals overtook the 49ers to move into second place. Along with the South looking like have two playoff certs in the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. The 49ers need to win here.
Washington have had a poor season and a poor year really, since RG3 was injured late last year and was rushed back for the playoffs and tore his ACL and MCL in his side's defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. It hasn't got better from then and you can sense some resentment between the player and head coach Mike Shanahan for the incident along with some animosity between the players themselves following their poor campaign. A win could solve all their problems though.
The Redskins have had some success on their offense this season especially when they run the ball as they've found a gem of a running back in Alfred Morris. He can really power through the tackles and has notched up 918 yards on the ground in the campaign. RG3 is also a dynamo with the ball in his hands even though he has stepped back a bit from that approach this season and would be advised to stay in the pocket a bit more with the ball.
Defensively the Redskins are decent against the rush and will need that in this game against Frank Gore and the ability of Colin Kaepernick to run out of the pocket. Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are two very good pass-rushers, with high motors so they will keep Kaepernick honest. Their secondary is very suspect and if the 49ers are going to target anywhere it will be in that area of the field. Expect a lot of passes tonight from Kaepernick.
Offensively the 49ers have really been struggling of late and have mustered just 29 points in their last two games combined. Kaepernick does not look confident throwing the ball and that has allowed teams to pack the box to stop the running threat of Gore. If the 49ers can't get their passing game going tonight you have to worry about their playoff chances.
REDSKINS INACTIVES: Grossman Young, Gumbs, Jenkins, LeRibeus, Bowen, Reed
49ERS INACTIVES: Carradine, Celek, Iupati, McDonald, Brown, Patton, Bethel-Thompson.
Hall returns the kick to the 21 where RG3 will start for the Redskins.
The Redskins begin with a three and out as RG3's pass to Paulsen on third down falls incomplete after he ran for three yards on second and 10. Rocca's punt is collected at the 30 by James.
The 49ers get rolling with a first down pass to Manningham off play-action and the receiver collects the ball for a 14-yard gain on a slant route to move his side to their own 44.
San Francisco's drive comes to an end as Kaepernick slips on the run on second down forcing a third and nine and his pass to Davis on a hitch over the middle of the field but it falls incomplete. Lee punts the ball but it lands in the endzone so RG3 will start at the 20.
The Redskins go three and out again as Helu gets the handoff on third down and three but he gets stopped at the line by a good tackle from Dorsey after RG3 ran for five yards on second before he took a big hit from Whitner. Rocca's punt is taken to the SF 30 by James but that will be backed up due to a holding penalty that moves them to the 20.
Manningham makes another nice catch for the first down as Kaepernick drills the ball to him on an out route towards the left-hand sideline and he does well to drop both feet in bounds before going out for the 13-yard reception.
SACK! Kaepernick goes down for a loss as Jenkins gets to him as he tried to make a run for it after being hemmed in by Orakpo and Kerrigan. Gore was restricted to two yards on first and an incomplete pass on second led to third and long. Lee's punt was collected by Moss and taken to the Redskins' 21.
Another three and out as RG3 looks for the bomb downfield but he can't connect with Robinson on what would have been an 80-yard touchdown. Morris has had no joy on the ground so far in this game as he got stuffed on second down by Brooks. Rocca's punt is taken to the SF 38 by James down the left-hand sideline. A decent return by the back.
Oh dear. Frank Gore loses man points by keeping his coat while waiting in the huddle. He takes it off for the first play though as he gets two yards on the ground on first.
The 49ers convert on third down and eight as Kaepernick drills the ball to Manningham on a skinny post for 10 yards to move the chains to shift the offense to the Washington 49 with Amerson in coverage.
Another third down conversion and it's a great throw, catch and route by Kaepernick to Boldin down the left-hand sideline on a fade and the receiver produces a catch reminiscent of his days with the Baltimore Ravens last season to make the grab at the 19 for a 24-yard reception.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS!
The 49ers take the lead as Kaepernick and Boldin connect again this time with a deep out route down the right-hand sideline and Wilson in coverage for the 19-yard strike.
Paul returns the ball to the 27 where the Redskins will begin again.
The Redskins get their first, first down of the night as RG3 is in danger of going down for a huge loss but he escapes from the pocket and sprints down the left-hand sideline to get the 10 yards with the aid of a generous spot.
Helu gets the handoff and does well to power through the line of scrimmage for the first real gain on the ground for the first down with a 10-yard run. Good stuff from the change-up back.
INTERCEPTION 49ERS!
What an ugly end to the quarter for the Redskins as RG3 fakes the handoff for Helu on play-action and drops back for a pass but Aldomn Smith rushes him into a quick throw and he gets rid of the ball right into the hands of Whitner who takes the ball to the SF 42.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 7-0 Washington Redskins
The 49ers go straight to air and Kaepernick throws a bomb downfield for Davis who makes the catch low at his feet and keeps running with the ball and it takes several players finally to force him out of bounds at the Washington 18.
The 49ers can't go any further as Gore gets five yards on first but Hunter is stuffed on second. Kaepernick is nearly sacked on third down by Orakpo but he escapes the pocket and manages to get a gain of two yards before he is smacked out of bounds by Meriweather. That will leave Dawson with a 29-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! 49ers 10-0 Redskins
Dawson makes no mistake firing his kick through the posts and we have a 10-point game.
Paul gets to the Washington 19 on his return where RG3 will start.
The Redskins get some offense going as Morris finds four yards on first with a run over the right-hand side of the line and RG3 gets the first down as he fires the ball to Garcon on a quick screen for 10 yards to move the chains.
Morris moves the chains big style as he gets the handoff and he powers through the middle of the line for a gain of 12 yards before he gets brought down at the feet after Paulsen got eight yards on a hitch route on first.
Morris is in the action again as he reels off runs of five yards on first and then come back with a nine-yard run right through the middle of the line before Bowman tracks him down at the SF 33.
The Redskins get their ground game going as Helu powers over the line on third and one to get five yards after he was stopped on second. Morgan got nine yards on a hitch on first to get his first catch of the night.
Washington's drive comes to a halt with two incompletion as RG3 throws to Paulsen on first and he can't come up with the grab as didn't look on the same page as his quarterback. On third the 49ers brought the heat and nearly got to Griffin forcing a quick release and the incompletion. Forbath will attempt a 36-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! 49ers 10-3 Redskins
Forbath knocks his kick through the posts with ease to make it a seven-point game.
James returns the ball to the 28 where Kaepernick will begin.
The Redskins should have an interception a Kaepernick stares down his receiver all the way on third down and eight but Riley can't come up with the pick as the ball hits him between the numbers. Gore and Hunter were stuffed for short gains forcing the pass from the quarterback on third, where he's been inconsistent this season. Lee's punt is caught by Moss at the 20.
The Redskins convert on third down through the air finally as RG3 nails a pass over the middle of the field to Moss as he sits down in the zone coverage for a 15-yard gain on what was third down and nine, moving his team to their 39.
Washington keep moving as RG3 lobs a short pass to Morgan which he turns into a big gain of 18 yards down the right-hand sideline as he dodges a tackle to shift his team to the 49ers' side of the field.
Morris gets six yards on the ground on first down at the two-minute warning with his side at the SF 37.
The Redskins keep moving downfield as Morgan gets their drive moving as RG3 throws a screen to him on the right and he gets just enough space to churn out 11 yards down the sideline with his team at the 26.
On second down and one RG3 tries to run for the first down but takes a hit from Justin Smith and fumbles the ball, he recovers it but gets absolutely cracked by Smith on the ground who also went for the ball. No problem with that and it will be third and four for the Redskins.
RG3 fires to Garcon on third down but he's short of the marker and he can't get out of bounds, meaning the Redskins have to hurry their field goal unit on the field to kick a 35-yard attempt.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! 49ers 10-6 Redskins
The Redskins get their field-goal unit on in time and Forbath composes himself to kick the 35 yarder through the posts making it a four-point game.
HALF TIME: San Francisco 49ers 10-6 Washington Redskins
It's a close game at the break as after a very poor start the Redskins have rallied somewhat and produced some decent offensive football but weren't able to punch the ball into the endzone. RG3 still doesn't look right but Morris and Helu were starting to get some success on the ground. If he can just keep the 49ers honest they could have some joy.
The struggles of the 49ers offense have continued bar the two big plays to Boldin for his score, where he just imposed himself on the defensive back on back-to-back plays and the big pass to Davis down the middle. Apart from that Kaepernick has struggled with his throws and Gore hasn't been able to burst off any explosive runs. So yet again it's up to their defense to make the stops.
The turf at FedEx Field is not looking great either. A few players have slipped and remember this is the turf that caused RG3 to damage his knee earlier this year. Hopefully we won't see anything that serious in this game.
James returns the kickoff to the 34 where Kaepernick will begin.
FUMBLE!
A big moment in the game as Kaepernick fires a strike over the middle to Davis who makes the grab and tries to fight to get over the first-down marker but Cofield comes from behind him and rips the ball out and Meriweather gathers at the Washington 48.
The Redskins go three and out as RG3's pass on third down to Moss falls two yards short of the marker after Morris could only get three yards on first. However, they opt to go for it on fourth down at the SF 41.
Washington can't get the first down as Bowman comes though the line and drops Helu short of the marker with a great read and tackle. That allows the 49ers to take over on downs at the their own 40.
The 49ers move the chains as Kaepernick drills the ball downfield on third and seven and Boldin makes the catch to earn the first down and what a catch it is as it beats the outstretched hand of Wilson and shakes off a hit from Rambo to bring it in for a 32-yard gain to move his side to the Washington 25.
Kapernick keeps his side moving as he fires the ball to his tight end Davis on a fade route down the right-hand sideline and he manages to stay in bounds just to make the grab for the 20-yard reception to move his side to the six.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS!
The 49ers extend their lead as Kapernick keeps the play alive and scrambles to his right, his receivers move around in the endzone to give him options before he finally fires to Boldin who makes the grab for the six-yard score.
Paul returns the ball to the Washington 19.
SACK! RG3 goes down for a huge loss on first down as Aldon Smith drops him for a eight-yard loss, the Redskins can't get the yardage back as he's forced to throw it away on second. On third they run a draw to Helu who gets a couple forcing Rocca to punt. His kick is collected by James who runs it back to the Washington 45, and add five more yards onto that with a penalty.
The 49ers go three and out as Kaepernick's pass on third down falls incomplete at the feet of James after Gore had a good run of seven yards on first down but got stuffed on second. Interesting moment as the 49ers opt to go for it on fourth down rather than kick a field goal.
The 49ers can't get the yardage and Kaepernick is very lucky not be dropped for a huge loss as he evades the rush somehow. He then just throws the ball into the stands allowing the Redskins to take over on downs.
SACK! RG3 goes down in the as he tries to escape the rush on third and five as Justin Smith does well to bring him down. The Redskins had trouble getting the yardage back after they were found guilty of holding on second. Rocca's punt was taken to the Washington 39 by James with a 40-yard return.
Kaepernick goes straight to work as he throws a fade route down the right-hand sideline for the uncovered tight end McDonald for a first down and a gain of 23 yards to move his side near the redzone.
The 49ers are rolling now as Kaepernick takes the ball on a designed run on first down for eight yards over the left-hand side of the line before he gets knocked out of bounds and then Gore gets the first with a draw play through the middle for right yards to the five-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS!
The 49ers go in for another score as they hand the ball off to Gore on first and he gets stopped but Kaepernick uses that to his advantage as on second he fakes the handoff bringing all the Redskins to the line and he throws the ball to the uncovered Davis in the endzone for the one-yard score.
Paul returns the ball to the 21 where RG3 will start.
SACK! RG3 goes down yet again as he tries to evade the rush but Brooks tracks him down from behind to drop his for a 11-yard loss on third down. The Redskins should have been in 49ers territory on first as the quarterback threw a bomb downfield but even though Robinson got his hands on the ball he couldn't make the grab Rocca will punt again at the start of the fourth quarter.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: San Francisco 49ers 24-6 Washington Redskins
James drops Rocca's punt but the back manages to gather at the 49ers' 45 where Kaepernick will start.
The 49ers move the chains on third and 11 as Kaepernick looks to Boldin and he catches the ball short of the first down marker but he powers through two tackles to turn the reception into a 13 yarder to get the distance needed.
San Francisco can't get the yardage this time as Gore got dropped for a loss of three yards on first and Manningham could only get 10 yards of it back on second, leaving them with a third and three and Kaepernick on a scramble could only get a yard but they opt to go for it on fourth and two at the Washington 35.
The 49ers get the yardage they need as Kaepernick keeps the ball himself and runs through a tackle and avoid another to run for five yards to the 30 but he will be backed up five yards, though they will keep the first down as he spun the ball to the ground in celebration.
Kaepernick is forced to run on third and 11 again but this time he can only get five yards before he gets brought down and the 49ers will kick a field goal from 49 yards out.
FIELD GOAL GOOD! 49ers 27-6 Redskins
Dawson dispatches his kick through the posts and the 49ers lead by 21 with nine minutes left in the game.
Paul returns the ball to the 20 where the Redskins offense will go to work.
RG3 moves the chains as he fires to Garcon for 10 yards on a hitch route to move his side to the 32-yard line.
SACKS! RG3 goes down on back-to-back plays for a combined loss of 18 yards as first Aldon Smith gets to him and then Brooks does as he tried to scramble and throw on the run. He is visibly frustrated as he walks from the field. Rocca's punt is caught by James at the SF 37.
The 49ers get rolling as Dixon powers through the middle of the line for gains of nine on first down and then three yards to move the chains on second, as Harbaugh's side look to kill the clock to close out the game.
The 49ers kill as much clock as they could but a penalty on Snyder for a false start set them back five yards and Dixon couldn't get the yards back on the ground forcing Lee to punt and Moss collects at the 15-yard line.
We're at the two-minute warning and a big penalty on Williams brings back what would have been a first down for the Redskins near midfield after RG3 threw a perfect pass for Moss down the left-hand sideline. That set them back to second and 15 and they chose to run the ball with Morris for a two yard loss to leave then with a third and 17 after the break.
The Redskins can't get the yardage back to earn another set of down and they opt to go for it on fourth down and RG3 runs for seven yards but it's not enough and allows the 49ers to take over. That should be that.
Kaepernick takes a knee and that should end the game.
FULL TIME: San Francisco 49ers 27-6 Washington Redskins
The 49ers cruise to a win here to get their season back on track, as they dominated the Redskins from the off with some good physical football, which is just what they needed to do.
Colin Kaepernick took full advantage of the Redskins porous secondary in this game to get three touchdown passes and that should give him a lot of confidence going into the latter half of the season while he should get one of his favourite targets in Micheal Crabtree back next week. That leaves the 49ers poised for good late-season surge.
More importantly for the 49ers one of their defensive studs looked back to normal as Aldon Smith terrorised RG3 in this game and notched two sacks to announce his return to form, while Justin Smith and Ahmad Brooks continued to dominate.
The Redskins defense did a good job against the run which is what their plan would have been, unfortunately they just couldn't cover Boldin and Davis in the passing game and that's where it all fell apart for them.
Perhaps more worryingly for the Redskins their offense was terrible as RG3 failed to get anything going at all in their passing game as he was hit often and hard by the 49ers. His receivers just couldn't get open and he was forced to hold the ball allowing the rush to get to him. His frustration was palpable and started the boil over at the end. Not a good season for him or his team.
Thanks for joining our commentary this morning. We'll be back with a triple showing on Thursday with the Thanksgiving Day schedule. Until then, goodbye.