Skins come out best in duel of the dregs

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson paced along one sideline like a coach whose job was in jeopardy. He interviewed for a college job this week, supporting speculation that he won’t return to the 49ers. Erickson hasn’t been able to help a team with the lowest payroll in the NFL, further depleted by injuries.

Erickson couldn’t lead his team to a win against the Redskins on Saturday, as Washington’s defense took the life out of a 49ers team that showed pride early, earning the Redskins a 26-16 victory. Washington (5-9) intercepted quarterback Ken Dorsey four times, including one by Antonio Pierce returned 78 yards for a touchdown.

While things have gone badly for Erickson, things haven’t been much better for the coach across the sideline. Joe Gibbs’ ballyhooed return to the NFL to coach the team with the highest payroll in NFL history hasn’t prevented another lackluster season by the Redskins.

The nationally televised platform didn’t mask the fact that a late December matchup at Monster Park between too once-proud franchises bordered on irrelevant. But the outcome left Washington mathematically alive in the playoffs, although the chances are extremely slim with two games left. So Washington’s players are playing mostly for pride and other areas not related to the playoffs. The defense, which entered the game ranked No. 2 in the NFL, can still reach its goal to be the No. 1 defense.

The defense, with linebacker LaVar Arrington making his first appearance since Week 2, handed a reality check to Dorsey and tailback Maurice Hicks after the pair led San Francisco to its second victory of the season last week. Dorsey finished the game 20 for 38 for 206 yards, and Hicks was held to 37 yards on 11 carries.

Despite an up-and-down season, Redskins tailback Clinton Portis entered the game needing 327 yards to become the first tailback in NFL history to amass 1,500 rushing yards in his first three NFL seasons. He ran for 110 yards on 35 carries.

The 49ers (2-13) gave Erickson permission to interview with Mississippi last week. Erickson, who has three years and $7.5 million left on his contract, told his players that he would return next season.

The Redskins led 23-9 at halftime, largely because of three interceptions by the defense.