49ers hold off Commanders 23-17 on Monday Night Football to stay perfect at 6-0
Quick Read
The 49ers beat the Commanders 23-17 on Monday Night Football at Levi's Stadium to improve to 6-0.
Christian McCaffrey ran for two touchdowns and Brock Purdy threw for 264 yards and a score as San Francisco built a 20-3 halftime lead.
Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone with 1:54 left, and a final sack sealed it.
Washington receiver Terry McLaurin left on a cart with a left knee injury the team fears is significant.
Brock Purdy and the offense built the lead, and the defense hung on. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night at Levi's Stadium, their sixth straight win to open the season and their best start since they won their first eight in 2019, according to the AP.
How it happened
San Francisco scored touchdowns on its first two drives. Purdy hit George Kittle for an 11-yard score, and Christian McCaffrey ran in from 1 yard out. McCaffrey added a second 1-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left in the half for a 20-3 lead. The 49ers outgained Washington 303 yards to 90 in the first half, the AP reported.
Washington's best first-half chance ended when Jayden Daniels threw the ball away on fourth-and-2 from the 13. After halftime, the 49ers managed just three first downs and 72 yards, and Daniels threw touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs (1 yard) and Rachaad White (9 yards) to pull within 23-17 with 9:22 to play.
On fourth-and-3 from the San Francisco 17 with under two minutes left, safety Malik Mustapha broke up Daniels' pass to Treylon Burks near the goal line. Washington got one more chance, but Daniels was flagged for intentional grounding and then sacked by Keion White and Ogbo Okoronkwo on the final play.
"I'm sick about the ending, but we showed a lot of fight," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said, per the AP. "We dug ourselves in a hole, and it bit us at the end of it," Daniels said.
Standouts and stats
Brock Purdy, SF: 21 of 29, 264 yards, 1 TD. His 105.6 career rating now makes him the highest-rated passer in NFL history after he passed the 1,500-attempt minimum, per the AP.
Christian McCaffrey, SF: 16 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD; 9 catches, 53 yards.
Mike Evans, SF: 3 catches, 94 yards, including a 54-yarder. George Kittle: 5 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD.
Jayden Daniels, WSH: 29 of 40, 300 yards, 2 TD; 4 rushes, 10 yards.
Team totals: 49ers 375 yards (126 rushing), Commanders 314 (53 rushing).
Injuries
Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin left in the first quarter with a left knee injury, needed an air cast and was carted off. Quinn said the team fears it is significant. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee) also left. For San Francisco, Evans left late in the first half with Achilles tendinitis; Kyle Shanahan said it is not believed to be long term. Linebacker Luke Gifford (groin) and defensive back Upton Stout (shoulder) also left, per the AP.
What it means
San Francisco (6-0) visits Atlanta on Sunday. Washington falls to 1-4-1 and has a bye before hosting Philadelphia on Nov. 1.
Monday Night Line results
Our Monday Night Line preview went 0-3: 49ers -7.5 lost (they won by 6), Over 52.5 lost (40 total points), and Daniels over 37.5 rushing yards lost (10 yards). The Monday Night Line is now 3-3-0 this season, and our combined Night Line record is 4-5-0.
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Sources: ESPN/AP recap, NFL official game book, NFL.com
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