This line has clicked because . . . a usual starting QB will start? Yes. In an oddity, Sam Howell was demoted by the Commodores in favor of Jacoby Brissett, only for Brissett to hurt his hamstring in practice and become inactive. As a result, Howell is back in, causing the number to ease up. He's endured a rough month but is likely unaffected by not taking snaps with the first string in practice. The spread is sky-high because San Fran has covered in four straight roadies. Winning by more than two TDs is possible, not probable.

The Commandos secondary is horrible and now its beat-up, too. Aiyuk will get favorable match up after favorable match up on the outside to beat guys down the sideline, or over the middle. No pass rush to speak of, either, and I see Purdy hitting several passes of 30-plus in this game.

Brandon Aiyuk is having a truly elite season. Aiyuk's efficiency metrics are off the charts and despite only receiving double digit targets once, he is the unquestioned WR1 in SF. Aiyuk's target profile rivals that of Tyreek Hills who is having one of the greatest seasons ever by a WR. Yes, Aiyuk has been that good. Now he gets a mouth watering matchup against a pass defense that is dead last in EPA allowed per dropback, doesnt double team opposing WR1s, and gives up more explosive passing plays than any defense in the league. Spike week: population Brandon Aiyuk.

Both sides are dealing with a bunch of injuries, including multiple members of the Washington offensive line. But it's hard to ignore how much better the offense has played the last two games once Jacoby Brissett has taken the field, scoring five straight TD drives at one point. I expect he'll be able to put up points against a banged-up 49ers team going cross-country and potentially looking ahead to next week, and even if the 49ers come to play, Brissett could put up some garbage time points to get to 20.

The Washington offense has been night and day the last two weeks when Jacoby Brissett replaces Sam Howell. You can draw your own conclusions about a Wolfpacker vs. a Tar Heel, but there's a clear difference in the experience level of the two quarterbacks. Howell is the future in Ron Rivera's eyes, but Rivera isn't even the future, so whatever he says about the quarterback situation is largely irrelevant. Howell needs "a break" and that's fair, he's been beat down badly. Brissett has engineered five straight TD drives for Washington and nearly stormed back to beat a good Jets defense. The 49ers will be angry but Washington should be able to stay within two touchdowns.

Washington has already allowed 8 passing TDs of 50+ yards. They have a horrible secondary and major coverage issues and the 49ers will be looking to get back on track after getting whacked by the Ravens. Even in that defeat Purdy went way over this very early in the game. They'll take deep shots early. Purdy is over this in 4 straight games and 7 of 8. Commandos have allowed 10 completions of 40+, 3 more than anyone else. And they don't face a QB threatening to shatter the single-season yards/attempt record every week. But they do this weekend.

Watching the Commanders in person last Sunday, the entire team got a lift when Jacoby Brissett entered the game. They played harder and more focused with the veteran running the offense instead of the overmatched Sam Howell. Washington played very efficient offensively as Brissett led multiple TD drives. With the 49ers banged-up and traveling on a short week, look for San Fran to escape with a 7- or 10-point win.

The Commanders are turning to Jacoby Brissett at QB, and that's good news for their offense. Brissett engineered five straight TDs drives between his two recent relief appearances, and he has a chance to get his team to 30 points against a 49ers defense playing its worst football in recent weeks. This is a massive number for a road favorite to cover in any circumstances, and I expect Brissett to put Washington through the backdoor even if down big in the second half. The 49ers offense may also not be at full strength with Brock Purdy and Trent Williams unable to finish Monday's game. I think this number should be around 10.

Washington's defense hasn't been the same since losing Montez Sweat and Chase Young. It wasn't a particularly good defense to begin with. Now you're facing the 49ers coming off of an embarrassing loss? Expect them to open up the playbook against the Commanders.