The Commanders spotted the unbeaten 49ers with a 20-point lead on Monday night, then nearly stole the game in the second half. Jayden Daniels drove Washington inside the San Francisco 30 in the final minute, but the 49ers sacked him on the last snap and held on for a 23-17 win in Santa Clara.
Washington falls to 1-4-1. San Francisco stays perfect at 6-0.
A Rough First Half
San Francisco took control right away. Brock Purdy hit George Kittle for an 11-yard touchdown on the opening drive, and Christian McCaffrey ran in two scores before the break. The 49ers led 20-3 at halftime.
The first half numbers told the story. San Francisco ran 41 plays for 303 yards and 17 first downs. Washington ran 17 plays for 90 yards and managed two first downs.
Daniels Leads the Comeback
Down 23-3 late in the third quarter, the Commanders finally got going. Daniels found Stefon Diggs at the goal line for Diggs’s fourth touchdown of the season, then hit Rachaad White for a 9-yard score to make it 23-17.
Washington outgained San Francisco 224 to 72 after halftime, and the defense forced three and outs on the 49ers’ last three drives.
Daniels finished 29 of 40 for 300 yards and two touchdowns, and nine different Commanders caught at least one pass.
Two Chances, No Finish
The Commanders had two shots to win it. On fourth down from the San Francisco 17 with 1:54 left, Daniels went to the end zone for Treylon Burks, but Malik Mustapha knocked the ball loose.
Washington got one more possession and moved to the 49ers’ 28. An intentional grounding call pushed them back, and San Francisco sacked Daniels on the final play. The 49ers finished with four sacks.
For the 49ers, Purdy went 21 of 29 for 264 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey ran 16 times for 64 yards and two scores and caught nine passes for 53 yards. Kittle had five catches for 69 yards.
McLaurin Hurt
The bigger concern for Washington may be Terry McLaurin. He caught a 27 yard pass on Daniels’s first throw of the night but left in the first quarter with a left knee injury. He was put in an air cast and carted off. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw also left in the first half with a knee injury.
San Francisco lost receiver Mike Evans late in the first half with an Achilles injury.
What’s Next
The Commanders head into their bye week, then host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Stay with Fox Sports 1340 AM and 96.9 FM for updates on McLaurin’s knee and the rest of the Commanders’ injury list during the bye.
