Redskins hang on to beat 49ers
On Sunday at FedExField, the Washington Redskins held off the San Francisco 49ers. What did we learn from this Week 6 showdown?
After a week off, you would have expected Jay Gruden’s Washington Redskins to be a little rusty early on in this clash with the San Francisco 49ers. That was anything but the case as Kirk Cousins drove his team 75 yards in eight plays and connected with Josh Doctson on an 11-yard score. With 1:51 remaining before halftime, the ‘Skins owned a 17-0 advantage.
So who would have thought that Gruden and company would have to hang on for dear life against a winless team that would bench its starting quarterback for a rookie in the second quarter? San Francisco’s C.J. Beathard nearly orchestrated a big-time comeback.
But once again, it was another heartbreaking loss for first-time NFL head coach Kyle Shanahan in his return to Washington.
Meanwhile, the Redskins are back above .500 and in second place behind that team from the City of Brotherly Love in the NFC East. And there’s a Monday night showdown on the horizon between those clubs.
Highlights
Cousins & Doctson with the first @NFL score of the day. #HTTR #SFvsWAS pic.twitter.com/syP7o2si29
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 15, 2017
.@samajp32, welcome to the end zone. #HTTR #SFvsWAS pic.twitter.com/GQsSip6ZMJ
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 15, 2017
The #49ers go for it on fourth-and-goal and Hyde gets in for six, capping off a successful two-minute drill from rookie QB CJ Beathard. pic.twitter.com/IjP37f7UvG
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 15, 2017
Another one for @elguapo to tie it up 17-17! #SFvsWAS pic.twitter.com/bbkzA0QSYj
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 15, 2017
And Kirk Cousins makes it a two-score game. #HTTR #SFvsWAS pic.twitter.com/Bw3hfgnlvu
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 15, 2017
Three Stars
1. Kirk Cousins
There was that one interception on a deep pass. But Cousins also threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, hitting on 25 of his 37 attempts. And the six-year pro also ran four times for 26 yards and what proved to be the game-winning score.
2. Chris Thompson
He continues to impress and may be the team’s MVP five games into 2017. Thompson lead the team with 33 rushing yards on 16 carries. He also caught for passes for 105 yards. That’s 20 touches for 138 yards and zero scores but he helped put his team throughout the game.
3. C.J. Beathard
Running back Carlos Hyde ran for two touchdowns and caught five passes for 47 yards. But kudos to the 2017 third-round pick from the University of Iowa. Beathard came off the bench to throw for 245 yards and a score (1 interception) in the Niners’ narrow loss.
More fansided.com: NFL power rankings, Week 5: Eagles soar, Steelers plummet
Odds
The host Redskins were 11-point favorites on Sunday as they looked to extend their win-loss record to 3-2. The teams combined for 24 points in the first half and when it was all said and done the clubs handled the total (46.5).
Next Week
The San Francisco 49ers return home to face the Dallas Cowboys, who were off this week. The Washington Redskins have a crucial divisional showdown with the Eagles at Philadelphia next Monday evening. The Birds bested Gruden’s team back in Week 1 at FedExField, 30-17.