The San Francisco 49ers held on for a 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football, extending their winning streak to six games despite a late offensive slump. The victory came down to two critical defensive stops in the final minutes after the 49ers’ offense stalled without star receiver Mike Evans, who left the game with an Achilles injury confirmed by head coach Kyle Shanahan as not a tear.
San Francisco dominated the first half on offense, running 41 plays for 303 yards and 20 points. In stark contrast, the second half saw the offense manage just 72 yards on 19 plays, producing only a field goal. Meanwhile, the Commanders flipped the script, gaining 90 yards on 17 plays for three points in the first half and then 224 yards on 44 plays for 14 points after halftime.
Evans’ absence clearly disrupted the 49ers’ rhythm. After he exited, San Francisco managed just 72 yards on 20 plays across four drives and punted all three times in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Brock Purdy struggled to connect with a makeshift receiving group featuring Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins. Purdy took two sacks in the second half, partly due to hesitancy in his throws, an issue the 49ers will need to address ahead of Week 7 if Evans is sidelined longer.
The defense, however, stepped up when it mattered most. Malik Mustapha made two game-saving plays late in the fourth quarter. On third-and-3, he stopped Washington running back Jeremy McNichols for no gain, forcing a fourth down. On the very next play, Mustapha broke up a pass intended for receiver Treylon Burks in the end zone on fourth down. These plays helped preserve the 49ers’ slim lead and set the stage for the game-clinching sack by Keion White and Romello Height.
Height had his best game as a pro, combining with White for the sack that sealed the win. Defensive tackle Gracen Halton and defensive end Mykel Williams also contributed with sacks, and undrafted second-year defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez nearly caused a fumble by pressuring the quarterback before the exchange. Rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger showed his range and athleticism with several sideline-to-sideline plays in the second level.
On offense, Christian McCaffrey returned to a heavy workload to compensate for the depleted receiving corps. He recorded 16 carries and nine receptions for 25 touches, the most he’s had this season by a wide margin. Backup running back Kaelon Black chipped in with eight rushes and a reception, keeping McCaffrey’s workload manageable but underscoring the need for more offensive options beyond the star back.
Jacob Cowing’s performance was problematic for the 49ers once again. He muffed a punt inside the 5-yard line and recovered it but was tackled at the 4. This marked his second consecutive week of poor punt return decisions. Cowing was not involved offensively, receiving zero targets, raising questions about his role as both a receiver and return man moving forward.
Special teams also had their struggles. Kicker Eddy Pineiro missed an extra point, his third of the season, which could have been costly in a game decided by six points.
Despite the offensive struggles and special teams miscues, the 49ers’ young defenders on rookie contracts continued to impress. Their late-game resistance kept Washington from scoring a go-ahead touchdown, preserving San Francisco’s unbeaten start to the regular season.
Mike Evans’ Achilles injury remains a concern, but Shanahan confirmed it is not a tear. The team will now focus on adjusting their offensive approach in anticipation of Evans’ availability in the coming weeks.
According to Yahoo Sports.
