49ers vs. Redskins 2013: San Francisco dominates with great defensive effort

The San Francisco 49ers needed a win on Monday night against the Washington Redskins. They got it.

The 49ers won 27-6 over the listless Redskins at FedEx Field, putting Washington into submission for the season and vaulting themselves back into a tie for the sixth and final NFC playoff seed with the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco technically holds the spot by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreak, although the teams square off again in Arizona.

Colin Kaepernick had one of his best games this season, throwing for three touchdowns without being intercepted. Despite a ground game that amassed only 76 yards on 33 carries, Kaepernick was able to move the ball with considerable ease against the Redskins' porous defense.

However, it was the 49ers defense that deserves most of the credit. San Francisco harassed Robert Griffin III all night, sacking him four times and limiting the Redskins offense to a meager 190 yards of total offense. Alfred Morris was also held in check throughout, gaining 52 yards on 14 attempts.

The player of the game in the defensive effort really just belonged to the entire linebacker unit. Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks all had big games, although I think Brooks might deserve a "player of the game" kudo, if I had to choose one. And Aldon? He had a pair of sacks and four QB hits as he is looking better and better. I suspect he'll continue getting more playing time as the 49ers head home.

For Washington, this loss simply represents more of the same from one of the most disappointing teams this year. The Redskins could not get a stop in the second half and were inept offensively for most of the night. Griffin continued to look mediocre, completing 17 of 27 passes for only 127 yards and an interception.

Kevin Ewoldt of Hogs Haven summed up the effort in two sentences:

The Redskins were deficient in every category: penalties, time of possession, sacks. Same story , different day.

At 3-8, Washington is all but eliminated from playoff contention, even in the weak NFC East.