Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers Week 16 Preview
The Commanders are coming off a terrible loss last Sunday night. This week they have a tougher matchup against one of the best teams in the NFC the 49ers. Taylor Heinicke needs to play better for the Commanders to have a chance in this game. Last week his two fumbles cost the team the win. For the defense they will need to stop the run game of the 49ers and make Brock Purdy beat them.
Offense
The Commanders offense needs to stick with the run for the entire game if they want to win Saturday. In the 49ers four losses they have given up 95+ yards on the ground each time. For the Commanders to win they will need to rush for at least 120 yards. I would like to see Brian Robinson to rush the ball 20 plus times on Saturday. If not this game could get ugly for the Commanders.
Now For Taylor Heinicke. He needs to protect the ball better this week against a really good 49ers defense. Last week he had two fumbles one being very preventable if he kept two hands on the ball. The other not so much since the left tackle got beat and Heinicke had no time to throw. To protect Heinicke more Scott Turner needs to call plays that leave a running back in that will help block or have a tight end chip and release. Without doing these things against a good 49ers defense Heinicke will be on the ground a lot or he will have multiple turnovers.
Defense
The biggest key for the defense is stopping the run. The last three games with Purdy the 49ers have been averaging 166 yards on the ground. If the Commanders can hold the run game to 75 yards or less and make Purdy beat them in the air will be the Commanders best chance to win.
The defensive line needs to get pressure on Purdy. Last week they had zero sacks against the Giants and that can not happen against the 49ers. I expect Jack Del Rio to send some more pressure to help the d-line get some sacks. Also this will make Purdy uncomfortable and it will make him have to make a quick decision. This will hopefully force Purdy to make some mistakes and set up some short fields for the Commanders offense.
Finally Chase Young is back in the lineup. He will play in his first game since tearing his ACL on November 14th 2021. I expect Young to be on a pitch count and play around 10-15 snaps. Hopefully he will knock the rust off and get a sack in his return to the field.
Injury Report
Commanders
De Chase young is Active.
OT Saahdiq Charles is out with a Concussion.
S Kam Curl is Questionable with an Ankle injury.
CB Benjamin St-Juste is Questionable with an Ankle injury.
49ers
DT Kevin Givens is Out.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo is Out.
S Tarvarius Moore is Questionable.
DT Kalia Davis is Out.
DE Kerry Hyder Jr. is Questionable.
WR Deebo Samuel is Out with Ankle/Knee injury.
RB Jordan Mason is Questionable with a Hamstring injury.
CB Charvarius Ward is Questionable with a Concussion.
Predictions
I expect this game to be a low scoring defensive battle. The team that makes the less amount of mistakes will win the game. With how many mistakes the Commanders have made the last two games I expect the 49ers will win the game. 49ers win 17-10 over the Commanders and hopefully the Lions and Seahawks lose. Hey maybe I am wrong and they come out and play like they did in the win against the Eagles.
Lines from BetUS
Commadners +7.5
Over/Under 37.5
