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Zorn, Singletary face off as 49ers host Redskins

Dec 23, 2008 - 4:56 PM Washington (8-7) at San Francisco (6-9) 4:15 pm. EST

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Jim Zorn may need a strong finish to save his job. Meanwhile, Mike Singletary is well on his way to having the interim tag removed from his name.

The two coaches face off on Sunday when Singletary's San Francisco 49ers seek a fourth win in five games against Zorn's Washington Redskins, who snapped a three-game skid last week, in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Zorn, who is replacing the legendary Joe Gibbs, led the Redskins to a 6-2 start and was in the Coach of the Year conversation after eight weeks. Unfortunately for Zorn, it is a 16-game season.

Five losses in six games put Zorn on the hot seat and led him to proclaim two weeks ago that he felt, "Like the worst coach in America."

Zorn did not look like the worst coach in America on Sunday, when the Redskins avoided a losing season and dealt a damaging blow the Philadelphia Eagles' playoff hopes with a 10-3 victory in Washington.

The Redskins managed just one offensive touchdown for the fourth straight week, but the defense saved the day by stopping wide receiver Reggie Brown at the 1-yard line in the final seconds.

"I can say I don't feel like the worst coach in America today," Zorn said.

Washington was eliminated from playoff contention when Atlanta beat Minnesota, but proved they haven't quit.

"If the guys here were going to quit on a coach, I guess this was the opportunity to do it," guard Pete Kendall said. "We're not going to quit on 'Z' or anybody."

Even though director of football operations Vinny Cerrato said Zorn will be back, there always is speculation with the meddling Daniel Snyder in charge. Snyder has gone through six coaches since buying the team in 1999.

While Zorn's future is unsettled, Singletary is making a strong case to be named head coach of the 49ers on a full-time basis.

San Francisco rallied from a 13-point deficit as Shaun Hill tossed a 48-yard touchdown to Josh Morgan with 1:22 left, giving the 49ers a 17-16 win over St. Louis last week. Hill was nearly pulled after throwing three interceptions in the first half.

Singletary has instilled a toughness into the 49ers, who proved they haven't quit on the season. Still, he doesn't think about his future.

"I'm not looking at, 'Wow, I hope this (win) really helps my chances,'" said Singletary, who is 4-4 since taking over for Mike Nolan seven games into the season.

"I'm doing the best I can. That's all that matters to me. Anything else that happens, so be it. ... I'm really proud of the way our guys performed. The guys hung in there. I was most proud of Shaun Hill. I was going to choke him. I was going to take him out. The only thing that stopped me was the look in his eyes."

The 49ers again may be without running back Frank Gore. Gore has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle.

This is the first meeting between the teams since Clinton Portis ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-17 win in Washington on October 23, 2005.