As 49ers players get a 3-day break during bye week, Jim Harbaugh will look at kickers

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, hugs Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt at the end of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. San Francisco won won 27-13. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (The Associated Press)

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) tumbles into the end zone for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Randall Benton) MAGS OUT; TV OUT (KCRA3, KXTV10, KOVR13, KUVS19, KMAZ31, KTXL40) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

As Jim Harbaugh sent his players into a mandatory three-day break to "rest their minds, rest their bodies," San Francisco's coach and his staff began playoff preparations for the NFC divisional round in less than two weeks.

Specifically, the two-time reigning NFC West champions will focus much of their efforts on the Washington Redskins — the one team among the Niners' three possible opponents they have yet to face this season. Green Bay and Seattle are the other two.

There's another important job, too: figuring out who will be kicking field goals. David Akers struggled yet again Sunday, missing wide left from 44 and 40 yards before connecting on a 43-yarder and 26-yarder in a 27-13 win against Arizona. Harbaugh said it is likely the team will bring in a few kickers for "some tryouts, have some competition."

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