This weekend there will be an important 49ers vs Commanders matchup. The San Francisco 49ers are in the hunt for the second seed in the NFC playoff picture, and a win this weekend will make them one step closer. This Saturday, in a Christmas Eve game, the Washington Commanders will head to San Francisco. While the 49ers have already clinched the NFC West, Washington is in the hunt for a wild card spot. Here are the key San Francisco players to watch in the 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
49ers vs Commanders: Jordan Mason
Running back Jordan Mason did not really see the field against the Seattle Seahawks. A big reason for this is that quarterback Brock Purdy was not fully healthy, and head coach Kyle Shanahan did not want to put too much pressure on Purdy. This week it was reported that Purdy feels much better, and there is a chance more players will get more plays on the offense. The 49ers will also want to be sure not to risk injuries due to playing with one person too many times. This will give Mason a chance to show what he can do in the 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
This season, Mason has been on the active roster quite often despite not seeing too much field time. This season, Mason has had a total of 217 rushing yards from 33 attempts, according to ESPN. His longest run of the season has been for 55 yards, which sealed the win over the Seattle Seahawks and clinched the 49ers the NFC West. Mason has also rushed for nine first downs, keeping the offense on the field. Mason most likely will not get the most reps, but he will still be a player to watch in the 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
49ers vs Commanders: Christian McCaffrey
While one running back has already made this list, another will join. Wednesday night, the Pro Bowl players were announced. Despite being the top running back in fan votes for the NFC, Christian McCaffrey did not make it, not even as an alternative. McCaffrey has the highest total yards of NFC running backs, and now has a chip on his shoulder. McCaffrey will be a player to watch in the 49ers vs Commanders matchup, to prove he should have made the Pro Bowl.
This season, the 49ers have only lost one game since the trade for McCaffrey. Including his time with the Panthers this season, McCaffrey has rushed for a total of 927 yards from 200 attempts, according to ESPN. This may be a game where McCaffrey reaches 1,000 rushing yards in one season for the first time since 2019. McCaffrey has also caught for 623 yards from 74 receptions. McCaffrey being a strong receiver as well as a rusher has been a great boost for the 49ers.
This season, McCaffrey has rushed for six touchdowns, caught four, and even thrown one. 11 touchdowns this season, yet not making the Pro Bowl, will force McCaffrey to want to show everyone why they were wrong during this 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
The Washington Commanders have allowed 111.6 rushing yards per game, according to ESPN, as well as eight rushing touchdowns this season. These stats demonstrate that it may be a challenge for San Francisco, but they are still going to fight for the win, in hopes to get the number two seed. An added note is that the Washington defensive end Chase Young will be making his NFL debut this season. It will be interesting to see how he factors into this 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
49ers vs Commanders: Nick Bosa
Nick Bosa is always a player to watch for the San Francisco 49ers, but in the race for Defensive Player of the Year, Bosa will show the league why he deserves the award. A key factor in the matchup of the 49ers vs Commanders will be the defense shutting down any chance for the Washington offense to score. Bosa putting constant pressure on quarterback Taylor Heinicke will greatly help San Francisco get a win.
This season, Bosa leads the league in sacks with three more games to go in the regular season. According to ESPN, Bosa has a total of 15.5 sacks, which is tied for the amount he has in the 2021 season. This weekend, look for Bosa to beat his career high, even while missing one game this season. Bosa also has a total of 41 combined tackles, 34 of which have been solo. He has also forced one fumble, against the Miami Dolphins, which resulted in linebacker Dre Greenlaw recovering it for a touchdown.
Heinicke has been sacked 17 times this season, according to ESPN. There was also a time this year when Heinicke was not the starter and Carson Wentz played for six games. In those games, Wentz was sacked 23 times. This can be a good thing for the 49ers, who currently have 39 sacks this season according to ESPN. As for turnovers, between the two Washington quarterbacks, they have thrown 11 interceptions. Added pressure on them can be good for the 49ers, who have caught 14 interceptions this season. This can make for a tough 49ers vs Commanders matchup.
Be sure to watch these players and the rest of the San Francisco team this Saturday. This 49ers vs Commanders matchup is a must-watch, as it has important NFC playoff implications.
For More NFL and NCAA Content:
Be sure to check out this week’s, Underestimated Player Spotlight to see who I chose, as well as last week’s here. Also, check out this article on the 49ers. Also, check out my most recent article about the 49ers’ top players against the Seahawks, and if it is time for running back Jordan Mason to get more playing time.
Check out my most recent article on Rutgers Signing Day. Also, be sure to check out this article explaining Michael Dixon’s transfer to Rutgers, and last week’s Top 5 Rutgers Games of the Season. Read here for Penn State’s top players who have already declared for the NFL Draft.
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