Double K’s NFL Game Review:(San Fransico 49ers (6-0) 23 vs Washington Commanders (1-4-1) 17 )
🏈 NFL Game Review: San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders
Week 7 · Monday Night Football · October 19, 2026 · Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
The San Francisco 49ers held off a late rally by the Washington Commanders to secure a 23–17 victory, improving to 6–0 and maintaining their perfect start to the 2026 NFL season. San Francisco dominated the first half but had to rely on its defense to close out the game.
Halftime: San Francisco 20, Washington 3
1. Game Summary: A Tale of Two Halves
San Francisco came out firing on offense, scoring touchdowns on its opening two possessions. Brock Purdy connected with George Kittle for an 11-yard touchdown, and Christian McCaffrey added two rushing touchdowns as the 49ers built a commanding lead.
At halftime, San Francisco had outgained Washington 303 yards to 90, controlling the tempo and keeping the Commanders’ offense off balance.
The Washington Post
However, the second half was a different story. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to spark a comeback, trimming the deficit to six points. San Francisco’s offense stalled, forcing the defense to protect the lead in the closing minutes.
The 49ers ultimately survived two late Washington possessions to preserve the victory.
The Washington Post
2. Offensive Standouts
Brock Purdy — Quarterback
21/29 · 264 yards · 1 TD
Purdy delivered an efficient first half, finding Kittle for a touchdown and moving the offense downfield consistently. He also reached the 1,500-career-pass-attempt threshold, qualifying for the NFL’s all-time passer-rating leaderboard, where his career rating moved to the top spot.
The Washington Post
Christian McCaffrey — Running Back
2 rushing touchdowns
McCaffrey was the engine of the red-zone offense. His two touchdown runs helped San Francisco establish a 20–3 halftime advantage and gave the 49ers the cushion they ultimately needed to survive Washington’s rally.
The Washington Post
George Kittle — Tight End
11-yard touchdown reception
Kittle gave the 49ers an early spark by finishing their opening scoring drive. His connection with Purdy was an important part of San Francisco’s fast start.
The Washington Post
+1
3. Defensive Play of the Game: Malik Mustapha
The defining defensive moment came with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Washington had a chance to cut further into the lead, but safety Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Treylon Burks near the goal line. The stop prevented the Commanders from getting a chance to tie the game.
The Washington Post
+1
Washington got one more opportunity, but the 49ers’ pass rush ended the threat when Daniels was sacked on the final play.
The takeaway: San Francisco’s defense made the critical plays when it mattered most, even after allowing Washington back into the contest.
4. The Turning Point: Washington’s Second-Half Comeback
The 49ers appeared to have the game comfortably under control at 23–3. Then Daniels and the Commanders found their rhythm.
- First half: San Francisco dominated possession and built a 17-point halftime lead.
- Third quarter: Washington began attacking downfield and scored its first touchdown.
- Fourth quarter: Daniels threw another touchdown, cutting the margin to 23–17.
- Final two minutes: Mustapha’s fourth-down pass breakup and the defensive pressure on Daniels secured the win.
The Washington Post+1
The concern is that San Francisco’s offense became much less productive after halftime. The 49ers managed only 72 yards of offense in the second half, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
San Francisco Chronicle
5. Injury Concerns
Mike Evans — 49ers wide receiver
Evans left late in the first half with an Achilles tendon injury after entering the game with existing soreness and broken ribs. His status following the game is a major concern for San Francisco’s passing attack.
The Washington Post
Terry McLaurin — Commanders wide receiver
McLaurin suffered a serious-looking left knee injury in the first quarter and was taken off the field on a cart. Washington’s passing offense could be significantly affected depending on the diagnosis and recovery timeline.
The Washington Post
7. Overall Game Grade: 49ers — B+
What went right
- San Francisco improved to 6–0.
- Purdy protected the football and threw a touchdown.
- McCaffrey delivered two rushing scores.
- The defense made two crucial late stops.
What needs improvement
- The offense lost its rhythm in the second half.
- The defense allowed Washington to make it a one-score game.
- Penalties and missed opportunities made the finish unnecessarily stressful.
- Evans’ injury could complicate the passing game moving forward.
San Francisco Chronicle+1
8. What’s Next for the 49ers?
San Francisco travels to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 25. The 49ers will look to extend their winning streak to seven games while addressing the offensive slowdown that nearly cost them against Washington.
The Washington Post
🔴 Final Takeaway
The 49ers are 6–0, but this win exposed some vulnerabilities. Their first-half performance showed how dangerous the offense can be when Purdy, Kittle and McCaffrey are clicking. Their second-half struggles showed that a big lead means little if the offense cannot sustain drives.
San Francisco deserves credit for closing out a difficult game, especially with Mustapha delivering the decisive defensive play. But against stronger opponents, the 49ers cannot afford to disappear offensively for an entire half.