San Francisco 49ers: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season

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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers recovers a fumble out of the pile in the third quarter of a game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won 26-24. San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Week 7: @ Washington

I really liked Dwayne Haskins as a prospect. Washington got tremendous value selecting him with the 15th pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

Washington has been adamant that they don’t believe he is ready to start and instead Colt McCoy and offseason acquisition Case Keenum competed for the starting spot with Keenum winning out. However, a combination of factors means Haskins might very well be under center by Week 7.

Washington doesn’t have much elite talent, but also doesn’t have any magnificent holes outside of the quarterback position. Of course, when your issues are at the most important position on the field that will cause some problems and breed frustration.

Keenum is only a season removed from great success in Minnesota, but his career numbers suggest he is a quarterback of circumstance. Washington may have enough talent to make him passably competitive, but their schedule does him no favors.

In the first six weeks of the season, Washington faces Dallas, New England, and Chicago, three of the best defenses in football.

If Keenum stumbles it’s hard to imagine McCoy lasting too long before Haskins gets a look. While I like Haskins as a prospect, it doesn’t mean he’s ready to be a difference-maker.

It will be the first time the 49ers fly east since their first week matchup against Tampa and these teams don’t have a lot of familiarity which tends to help the underdog, but San Francisco should still pull this one out.

Prediction: W 24-17 (5-1)