AN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jim Mora can barely stand the thought of the San Francisco 49ers' defensive numbers.

The 49ers (4-10) go into Sunday night's game against Washington (8-6) having allowed NFL highs in passing touchdowns (31) and yards passing (3,308) while ranking 28th overall in pass defense.

"It's a sickening feeling," said Mora, the 49ers defensive coordinator.

Just last week, the 49ers gave up 40-plus points for the fifth time this season in a 41-24 loss at Carolina, including four touchdown passes by Steve Beuerlein, all to Panthers wideouts.

It's a trend the Redskins, who can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, hope to exploit.

"Certainly, it's been well-documented they've had their problems," Washington coach Norv Turner said. "You watch them, I see them make a bunch of plays and then all of a sudden they give up a big play.

"Obviously, the 49ers had a tough time last week. But Carolina's offense is playing as well as any offense. They had some guys step up and really make plays, and hopefully we can do some of that."

Washington, a 24-21 loser to Indianapolis last week, has developed one of the league's most explosive offenses, though the 49ers might catch a break because of running back Stephen Davis' questionable status due to an ankle injury. Skip Hicks will start if Davis, who leads the league with 17 touchdowns, is unable to play.

But Brad Johnson, who leads the league's second-ranked offense, still can attack the 49ers where they are most vulnerable by getting the ball to wide receivers Michael Westbrook, Albert Connell and Irving Fryar.

Johnson said what's most important for the Redskins is to cut down on their own mistakes and everything else will take care of itself.

"We would like to have some success," said Johnson. "They've given up a lot of yards, a lot of points at different times but they've also created some turnovers and played well. Right now, we're just more focused about ourselves. We've kind of stuck a foot in our mouth at times with turnovers and penalties, so that's our biggest problem the last two weeks."

The 49ers, still trying to find a solution to their defensive problems, have benched struggling cornerback Darnell Walker for the second time this season and rookie Pierson Prioleau will start in his place Sunday. Prioleau and Ramos McDonald, a midseason waiver-wire pickup, represent the eighth different starting combination at cornerback for the 49ers this season.

"I have been called on to perform, so I've got to perform," Prioleau said. "There have a lot of misfortunes at this position. I've just got to go make plays."

Despite the defensive struggles, San Francisco has shown some offensive life in recent weeks even as it muddles through its worst season since 1980.

The 49ers have gained 1,273 yards in their last three games, including 900 yards passing and five touchdowns by Jeff Garcia, who has played well in his second tour as starter in place of injured Steve Young.

"It looks like we've honed in on some things that we're good at with the personnel that we have," said 49ers guard Ray Brown. "Maybe we'll break out this week."

Brown, who spent seven years in Washington before joining San Francisco as a free agent in 1996, said the 49ers would like to keep the Redskins' playoff bid on hold while finishing their disappointing season on a positive note.

"That would be huge," he said. "I've got some friends back there that are unbelievable Redskins fans so I'd love to spoil it for them. Hey, they can clinch next week."

WASHINGTON Season schedule and results

SAN FRANCISCO Season schedule and results

September 12 Dallas L 35-41 September 19 @NY Giants W 50-21 September 26 @NY Jets W 27-20 October 3 Carolina W 38-36 October 17 @Arizona W 24-10 October 24 @Dallas L 20-38 October 31 Chicago W 48-22 November 7 Buffalo L 17-34 November 14 @Philadelphia L 28-35 November 21 NY Giants W 23-13 November 28 Philadelphia W 20-17 December 5 @Detroit L 17-33 December 12 Arizona W 28-3 December 19 @Indianapolis L 21-24 December 26 @San Francisco 8:20pm ET January 2 Miami 4:15pm ET

September 12 @Jacksonville L 3-41 September 19 New Orleans W 28-21 September 27 @Arizona W 24-10 October 3 Tennessee W 24-22 October 10 @St. Louis L 20-42 October 17 Carolina L 29-31 October 24 @Minnesota L 16-40 November 7 Pittsburgh L 6-27 November 14 @New Orleans L 6-24 November 21 St. Louis L 7-23 November 29 Green Bay L 3-20 December 5 @Cincinnati L 30-44 December 12 Atlanta W 26-7 December 18 @Carolina L 24-41 December 26 Washington 8:20pm ET January 3 @Atlanta 9:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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