In Week Seven's matchup against the Washington Redskins, these players could be key for a San Francisco 49ers victory:
Jimmy Garropolo – The 49ers are 5-0 but not because of their $137.5 million dollar quarterback. He is currently 16th in passer rating at 95.2. He is below quarterbacks such as Derek Carr (96.7), Gardner Minshew (97.5), Teddy Bridgewater (98.4), Mason Rudolph (102.7), Kyle Allen (106.7) and Kirk Cousins (108.4). The former Eastern Illinois Panther is 19th in average passing yards with 232.6 per game and has thrown seven touchdown passes and five interceptions with three of them on Garoppolo. I understand he has 15 starts under his belt but at this point, Garoppolo is an overpaid "game manager."
This week against the Redskins, who rank 20th against the pass with 250 yards allowed per game, Garoppolo is set up for a statement game.
Richard Sherman - He is back to talking noise, making controversies, and he has an infectious game day attitude. In his last two games, "Sherm" has gone up against receivers such as the Cleveland Browns' Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, and the Los Angeles Rams' Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp, and showed he is back to his All-Pro self.
This week, the Redskins star rookie receiver, "Scary" Terry McLaurin, comes to town. The former Buckeye leads the team in receiving with 408 yards, yards per reception with 17.1, and five touchdowns. He also ran a 4.35 40 during his combine. Look for "Sherm" to match up against him but because McLaurin is a speedster, it could be a long day for him as well.
Daniel Brunskill - Brunskill did a good job against Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Brockers, holding him to one tackle and one quarterback hit. The former Aztec offensive tackle will have his hands full with either the Redskins veteran defensive end Ryan Kerrigan or rookie Montez Sweat. Kerrigan is a savvy four-time Pro Bowler and Sweat was drafted because he can get after the quarterback. This could be a lesson for the rookie offensive lineman.
Robbie Gould - In the last two games, Gould has not been his reliable self as he has made three of his last seven field goal attempts. In his past two seasons with the 49ers, he kicked 95% in 2017 and 97% in 2018. This year, he is 9-of-15, which is 60%. There will be games later in the season that may fall on Gould's leg. Hopefully this is a funk and he will snap out of it.
Kyle Shanahan - The 49ers' offensive play calling can be outstanding but wide receiver screens or shotgun dive plays are called when the team needs five or more yards on a third down is just the same as giving up on a drive. The way Shanahan can put players in position to make a play is unreal but sometimes old school smash-mouth in-between-the-tackles play is more effective than calling a toss play. Shanahan also needs to be more aggressive with the play calling and not allow teams to get back into games.
The 49ers will be playing teams like the Saints, Packers, Ravens, and their other division rivals in the upcoming weeks. They will have to put teams away when they have a chance. This could be a good week for Shanahan against the Redskins' 28th ranked scoring defense. It is ok to be creative when you are the play caller, but Shanahan has got to get out of it on obvious downs.