Report card: 49ers wake up, but it’s not enough to defeat Redskins

Offense: Quarterback C.J. Beathard’s second-quarter entrance woke up not just the snoozing offense but the entire team. Beathard made rookie-like mistakes but seems to have the guts and aggressiveness coach Kyle Shanahan covets at the position. His last-ditch comeback attempt was derailed by a dubious pass-interference call. Grade: C+

Defense: Jimmie Ward had one of his best games, nearly intercepting Kirk Cousins on a diving attempt in the first half and then scooping up a Vernon Davis fumble in the third quarter. The defense, however, couldn’t get to Cousins on key plays. The 49ers had one sack. Grade: C

Special teams: Robbie Gould has made a field goal in every game this year, including a season-long 52 yarder in the third quarter Sunday. Another try in the quarter went wide, a miss that turned out to be huge in a two-point contest. Trent Taylor had a 39-yard punt return in the third quarter and continues to look sure-handed at that job. Grade: B-

Overall: The 49ers deserve some credit for not wilting altogether after going down 17-0. But they also may have lulled Washington to sleep with uninspired play early on. The 49ers head home after three consecutive road games with an 0-6 record. Look for a lot of Dallas Cowboys jerseys in the stands next Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. Grade: C

This story was originally published October 15, 2017 at 1:31 PM.