(By Daisy Barringer)

The 6-1 49ers travel to Washington on Sunday to play the 3-4 Redskins. It’s a game everyone seems to expect the 49ers to win, but don’t think it’s going to come easily. First, the 49ers have to travel all the way across the country and play at 10 a.m. on the road. Yes, we’ve won all three of our road games this year, but that’s an anomaly, not a given for this team. Second, the Redskins are coming off a three game losing streak and suffered a humiliating shutout in Buffalo last Sunday; they're hungry for this win. Lastly, well…Any given Sunday and all that.

Let’s do this like we do it every week and break it down.

The Bad

>> Redskins’ coach Mike Shanahan is humiliated by the shutout. Humiliation is a great motivator.
>> Redskins are 5th in the NFL with 23 sacks. Of course, our O-line looks better every week, but still worth pointing out. Alex Smith needs to remain calm and make smart decisions.
>> 49ers are playing their fourth game on the East Coast within six weeks. Less practice time and less sleep.
>> The 49ers are the favorites. How will the loss of “underdog” status affect their play? Are they still going to come out fighting? Hopefully, but confidence can also be a killer.

The Good

>> The Redskins are pretty banged up. Notably: No 1 WR Santana Moss is out. Considering…
>> 49ers are only yielding 73.4 rushing yards per game, the Redskins are going to miss Santana Moss more than ever.
>> RB Tim Hightower is also out.
Redskins offensive line should get pummeled by our powerful defensive front.
>> The 49ers are mostly healthy (Don’t worry; I knocked on wood. Now you do it. Seriously.)
>> Redskins have given up 138, 175, and 192 rushing yards in their last three games respective. Gore just needs to do his thing.
>> The 49ers are on a roll. No matter which way you look at it, these boys are for real.

If the 49ers can refrain from turning the ball over, score early, and run the ball, they should be able to win this game fairly easily. Or, at least by a field goal or two.

49ers at Washington: Sunday at 10 a.m. on Fox 2.

p.s. Did anyone else notice that right after I said the 49ers were 2 Legit 2 Quit, MC
Hammer went to Santa Clara and met with the team? I mean, I don’t want to take
ALL of the credit for that, but I will.