SAN FRANCISCO - Another slew of penalties. Another sketchy performance by the offense. The Redskins still have plenty of problems, but against the woeful 49ers none of them mattered.
Patrick Ramsey passed for 214 yards and a touchdown, and linebacker Antonio Pierce returned one of Washington's four interceptions 78 yards for a score in a 26-16 victory over San Francisco on Saturday.
Clinton Portis rushed for 110 yards, Rod Gardner caught six passes for 111 yards and newcomer Jeff Chandler kicked four field goals - and still the Redskins (5-9) made many of the same mistakes that have plagued them in the first season of coach Joe Gibbs' comeback.
The offense scored its only touchdown on its opening drive, and Washington committed 11 penalties for 93 yards to stay on pace to break the franchise record.
But when teams face San Francisco, they've got plenty of margin for such errors.
The Redskins took a 19-point lead late in the first half, and the sturdy defense shut out the Niners offense for more than 45 minutes between Brandon Lloyd's early touchdown catch and Curtis Conway's scoring grab with 4:26 left.
Ken Dorsey, making his fifth start in place of injured Tim Rattay, doubled his interception total for the season, including three in the first half. He finished 20-of-38 for 206 yards, but the 49ers (2-12) remained on track for the top draft pick with more of the bland offense and step-slow defense that has defined their season.
With losses to Buffalo and New England, San Francisco could match the worst records in franchise history, set in 1978 and 1979.
Chandler, the former 49ers kicker signed by Washington this week, made a 49-yard field goal and three short kicks. San Francisco's fans probably didn't recognize a player run out of town for his short kickoffs and shaky accuracy.
Robert Royal caught a 17-yard scoring pass on Washington's first drive, but Lloyd answered with a 12-yard scoring catch for the 49ers.
Linebacker LaVar Arrington returned to the Redskins lineup after missing 11 weeks with a knee injury.
The 49ers played without top pass-rusher Andre Carter, sidelined by a back injury. Washington deactivated Shawn Springs, who has a concussion.
