Why to watch:
This is a key game for Washington, which is clinging to a one-game lead over both Dallas and the New York Giants in the NFC East. The 'Skins have alternated wins and losses over the last four weeks, including last week's 24-21 defeat in Indianapolis.

The Redskins have not reached the playoffs since 1992, but they can claim the division title with a victory here and one more Dallas loss. Coach Norv Turner, who has presided over five non-playoff seasons, is feeling plenty of pressure from controlling owner Daniel Snyder to end that postseason drought now.

The 49ers have long been eliminated from the playoff chase, and they're now evaluating talent for next season. San Francisco will need another salary-cap purge in the offseason, so several players will be playing for their jobs over these final two weeks. The Niners, who have lost nine of their last 10, are in the midst of their first 10-loss season since 1980.

Both defenses are among the league's worst -- the 'Skins rank 28th in total defense, while the Niners are 26th -- so this one could be a shootout.

Who to watch:
Redskins RB Stephen Davis, the NFL's leading rusher, is questionable because of an ankle injury. Davis leads Indianapolis rookie Edgerrin James by just five yards in the rushing race, so he could lose the title if he's unable to play. Second-year RB Skip Hicks, who has rushed for 156 yards on 43 carries this season, will carry the load if Davis cannot.

	INJURY REPORT
	Redskins: QUESTIONABLE: RB Stephen Davis (ankle). PROBABLE: G Brad Badger (ankle); WR Albert Connell (shoulder); DE Ndukwe Kalu (foot); CB Mark McMillian (ribs); G Keith Sims (knee); WR Michael Westbrook (wrist). 49ers: OUT: QB Steve Young (concussion). DOUBTFUL: DE Chike Okeafor (knee). QUESTIONABLE: DT Junior Bryant (leg). PROBABLE: S Lance Schulters (knee); LB Winfred Tubbs (shoulder).

Redskins QB Brad Johnson and WRs Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell should exploit a Niners' pass defense that ranks 28th in the NFL and is allowing 236.3 yards per game. Johnson already has set a career-high with 22 TD passes, while Westbrook and Connell have both topped the 1,000-yard mark. It could be a long afternoon for 49ers CBs Darnell Walker and Ramos McDonald.

As unbelievable as it sounds, the Niners probably will not have a 1,000-yard receiver this season. 49ers WR Terrell Owens has 721 receiving yards in 12 games, while Jerry Rice has 643 yards and five TDs on his team-high 56 receptions.

49ers QB Jeff Garcia, who threw for 303 yards and two TDs in last week's 41-24 loss at Carolina, will come after Redskins CBs Champ Bailey and Darrell Green. 49ers RB Charlie Garner will look to add to his career-high 1,071 rushing yards.

Redskins DT Dana Stubblefield will face his former San Francisco teammates for the second time. 49ers DT Bryant Young, who came back from a broken leg to turn in a Pro Bowl season, is questionable with a knee injury. 49ers S Lance Schulters, who ranks second in the NFC with six interceptions, was also picked for the Pro Bowl.

Redskins' numbers to know:
Washington has lost seven consecutive meetings with San Francisco, including an ugly 45-10 loss last season on Monday Night Football. The 'Skins will be looking for a little payback in the prime-time spotlight. The Redskins trail 15-7-1 in the all-time series and haven't beaten the Niners since 1986.

49ers' numbers to know:
San Francisco has given up an NFC-high 393 points and has allowed at least 40 points five times. That could be real trouble against a Redskins team that has scored 396 points, more than every team in the league but the Rams' 461.

What it means:
While it doesn't mean much for the Niners, who are simply playing out the string, this one is extremely important for the 'Skins. Washington hosts Miami in its season finale, so the Redskins need a victory to stay at least a game ahead of the Cowboys and Giants.

Dallas holds the tiebreaker over Washington after sweeping the season series, so if the 'Skins slip up either this week or next, the Cowboys could steal the division title by winning their final two games. However, one Washington win and one more Dallas loss will send the title to the nation's capital.