49ers vs. Washington: A prospector's guide

The San Francisco 49ers head east for Monday Night Football in Week 12. They face the Washington "insert your moniker of choice" in a must-win game. I suppose it's a bit cliche to call it must-win, but the 49ers are facing a Washington team that is dealing with significant struggles. They have a dominant rushing attack behind Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III, but the passing attack is inconsistent, and their defense is struggling, to say the least.

This is the second matchup in three seasons between these two teams. The 49ers beat Washington 19-11 when they faced off in 2011 at FedEx Field. That was the 49ers second straight win over Washington, having defeated them 27-24 in 2008. This was quietly a nice little rivalry in the 80s and 90s. The teams didn't play frequently, but when they did, it usually mattered. Washington beat San Francisco in the 1984 NFC Championship Game en route to losing to the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII. The 49ers would bounce back with a Super Bowl win the next season.

The 49ers defeated Washington in 1991 and 1993 in the divisional round. They would go on to lose the conference championship game in both seasons, first to the New York Giants and then to the Dallas Cowboys.

Washington came into this season with huge expectations after a monster rookie season from RG3. However, a quick comeback from his knee issues appears to have been a pretty significant mistake. RG3 is slowly bouncing back, but a poor start has Washington on the outside looking in, even in an awful NFC East. They are not entirely out of that race, but a loss on Monday would just about wrap up their season. Let's see if the 49ers can take care of that for them!

Anquan Boldin

• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, recorded 9 receptions for 114 yards vs. Was. (12/11/05).

• Hauled in 2 touchdowns at Was. (10/21/07) as a member of the Cardinals

• As a member of the Baltimore Ravens, caught 3 passes for 78 yds. and 2 TDs at Was. (12/9/12).

Frank Gore

• Registered his first career touchdown on a 72-yard run vs. Was (10/23/05

Mario Manningham

• In 6 career games against Was., has totaled 19 receptions for 345 yards and 3 TDs

Bruce Miller

• Made his first-career TD grab on a 30-yard pass play at Was (11/6/11)

Justin Smith

• Posted his 50th-career sack vs. Was. (12/28/08), taking down QB Jason Campbell for a 13-yd. loss, while also recording 6 tackles, 2 TFL and 1 PD.

Patrick Willis

• Recorded team-highs with 13 tackles and 2 FF at Was. (11/9/11).

Series Highlights
Matchups: 29
Series Record: 49ers lead series 18-10-1
49ers Away Record vs. Washington: Series tied 7-7
First Meeting: 11/16/52, 49ers win 23-17, at Was.
Last Meeting: 11/6/11, 49ers win 19-11, at Was.
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 7 (11/21/88 - 9/14/98)
Longest Washington Win Streak: 3 (11/11/73 - 10/29/78)
Most 49ers Points: 45 (9/14/98): 49ers win 45-10, at Was.
Most Washington Points: 38 (10/29/78): Washington win 38-20, at Was.
49ers Shutouts: None
Washington Shutouts: 1 (11/13/55), Washington win 7-0, at Was.

2013 Statistics