3 Things We Learned in the San Francisco 49ers 9-0 win vs. Washington

The phrase "burn the tape" rarely applies to a win, but the San Francisco 49ers may struggle to take much from a 9-0 win over the Washington Redskins played in awful conditions at FedEx Field.

San Francisco survived a disappointing offensive showing in the first half, which finished scoreless, to preserve its unbeaten record and move to 6-0 with a victory that surely would have been more emphatic had the game not been played in a relentless downpour.

Despite the torrential rain, there were still things that can be gleaned from a triumph that ensures the Niners will end Week 7 with the best record in the NFC.

Here's what we learned from this latest success.

Passing attack still finding its rhythm

Though the conditions could not have been worse for the passing game, the Niners' struggles in getting going in the first half were still telling. Jimmy Garoppolo completed only two passes in the opening two quarters as he made consistently poor decisions that prevented the 49ers from taking advantage of another extremely strong defensive effort.

Garoppolo was intercepted on the first drive of the second half, paying the price for failing to hold Troy Akpe with his eyes as the safety picked off a deep shot to Dante Pettis. The 49ers found rhythm and momentum thereafter as Garoppolo went 8 for 8 following the interception and finished 12 of 21 for 151 yards.

Only Kendrick Bourne losing his footing denied Garoppolo a touchdown but this was a performance that provided further evidence the passing game is lagging behind the efforts of the defense and the rushing attack, which effectively killed the clock in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers are unlikely to be presented with conditions as difficult as they faced on Sunday again but, with a significant test in the form of the Carolina Panthers on the horizon as San Francisco approaches a tough second-half schedule, Garoppolo needs to put the slow starts behind him sooner rather than later.

Defense has depth to survive injuries

With run-stuffer extraordinaire D.J. Jones out with a hamstring injury, the Niners' stout rush defense could have been considered somewhat vulnerable.

Washington looked set for a successful day running the ball when Adrian Peterson and Wendell Smallwood gashed the Niners for 68 yards on the game's opening drive. However, the Redskins finished with only 104 yards on the ground at four yards per carry as they were unable to replicate that early success.

Key to the Niners' shutting down Peterson and Co was defensive tackle Jullian Taylor, who filled in for Jones and performed exceptionally well. Taylor stuffed Peterson on a fourth-down stop and later recovered a fumble from the future Hall of Famer forced by Kwon Alexander, whose excellent first season as a Niner continued.

Both those plays stymied promising Washington drives and Taylor's performance was another indicator the 49ers have built the strength in depth on defense to survive injuries, with Emmanuel Moseley having filled the void left by cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon's foot injury magnificently.

The 49ers' shutout was their first since 2016 and it would be a brave call to bet against this deep defense threatening another before the 2019 campaign is over.

It's time to explore a wide receiver trade

Bourne, George Kittle, and Richie James each came up with clutch catches when the 49ers needed them in the second half, but it is becoming increasingly obvious San Francisco needs another big-time receiving weapon beyond tight end Kittle.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Denver Broncos are willing to listen to offers for veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders. Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green is another pass-catcher who many believe could be available and, given the lack of impact made by a receiving corps missing rookie Deebo Samuel, the Niners would be wise to explore making a deal for either player.

Garoppolo has a favored target he can rely on in Kittle, however, if the 49ers are serious about a deep playoff run, he will likely require another on the outside. There is still plenty of time for Samuel, Pettis or another young receiver to emerge but, as the trade deadline approaches, the Niners need to assess the market and decide whether a move for a more established wideout is possible.