49ers Use Long-Distance Plays to Beat Redskins : NFC: McDonald’s 73-yard interception return for a touchdown perhaps the biggest in 37-22 victory.

In a game filled with big plays from San Francisco’s offense, defense and special teams, perhaps none was bigger than Tim McDonald’s 73-yard interception return for a touchdown.

McDonald was one of four 49ers with plays of 50 yards or more--three for scores--in a 37-22 victory Sunday over the Washington Redskins.

Dexter Carter returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and Steve Young teamed with Brent Jones on a 69-yard touchdown pass play. Jerry Rice scored on a 28-yard reverse and also had a 55-yard catch that set up a short touchdown run by Young.

“I felt that the reason we were able to win the ballgame was the key big plays,” 49er Coach George Seifert said. “There were a couple of big pass plays . . . a return and an interception. That allowed us to be in the position that we were.”

The 49ers (7-2) left the Redskins (2-8) winless in six games at RFK Stadium, their worst start at home since 1961 when they also began 0-6.

The Redskins had a chance to stay in the game, but McDonald stole Washington’s last hope.

On the Redskins’ first real drive, trailing, 17-3, quarterback Gus Frerotte reacted to a blitz on third and six at the 49er 22 by trying to dump the ball off to running back Ricky Ervins in the flat.

But McDonald was watching and waiting, aware that his team needed to stunt the momentum Washington was building.

McDonald tipped the ball, reaching up to his left, then pulled it in and sprinted, untouched, 73 yards to the end zone for a 24-3 lead.

“You just don’t see the robber in that situation, and Tim McDonald made a great play,” Frerotte said. “He’s just roaming around, not covering anyone.”

Young showed what the NFL’s top-rated passer can do against the league’s 26th-rated defense, picking apart the Redskins’ secondary early in the game. He was so effective early he took the fourth quarter off, finishing 15 of 25 for 291 yards and one touchdown.

Rice was one of several offensive weapons the 49ers unleashed.

He caught three passes for 90 yards. Ricky Watters caught six passes for 66 yards and Jones had the 69-yarder.