Peter King: Weekend Kickoff

[seamus]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/peter_king/12/15/pickoff.king/index.html

Washington at San Francisco

I really thought Brandon Lloyd was going to be an impact player this year, and the 49ers are disappointed he hasn't stepped his game up since Terrell Owens left town.

Washington 33, San Francisco 13

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Dennis Erickson will still be on the sidelines Saturday when the San Francisco 49ers host the Washington Redskins in an NFC matchup.

With the Niners tied with Miami for the NFL's worst record, there has been speculation that Erickson, who is in his second season as coach, could be fired.

Erickson met with owner John York and general manager Terry Donahue on Monday and said he expects to coach for the remainder of the season.

Last week, Erickson finally got some good news as the Niners squandered a 25-point lead before snapping a seven-game losing streak with a 31-28 overtime victory at Arizona. San Francisco is 2-0 against Arizona, and 0-11 against everyone else.

Against the Cardinals, Ken Dorsey passed for three touchdowns and second-year back Maurice Hicks carried 34 times for a career-high 139 yards and a score.

It also has been a disappointing season for the Redskins under coach Joe Gibbs, who returned to the sidelines after an 11-year hiatus. They are in last place in the NFC East, but just a game behind Dallas and the New York Giants .

The Redskins narrowly missed pulling off an upset against the NFC's best team last week, falling 17-14 to the Philadelphia Eagles . Patrick Ramsey threw an interception in the end zone with 1:46 remaining with the Redskins driving for the potential go-ahead score.

Washington has not scored more than 17 points in any of its six road games.

Matchup to watch: Redskins rookie tight end Chris Cooley against strong safety Tony Parrish .

Series: San Francisco leads, 16-8-1.

Next week: Washington visits Dallas on December 26 San Francisco hosts Buffalo on December 26