49ers survive Commanders’ attempted comeback, improve to 6-0

San Francisco scored three first-half touchdowns before its offense stalled, but Malik Mustapha and the defense helped secure a 23-17 win.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Oct 19, 2026, 8:50 PM Updated: 8:53 pm

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a t...

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

It wasn’t pretty, but the San Francisco 49ers remained undefeated after Monday night, defeating the Washington Commanders 23-17.

San Francisco scored touchdowns on its first two drives and took a 20-3 halftime lead before narrowly denying Jayden Daniels and the Commanders a potential comeback. 49ers’ Quarterback Brock Purdy finished with 264 passing yards and a touchdown, while Christian McCaffrey scored twice on the ground.

Unfortunately, Mike Evans left with an Achilles injury just before halftime, and the offense managed only three second-half points afterward. Washington began sustaining drives, penalties extended its opportunities, and the Niners needed key plays from Malik Mustapha to secure the win and remain undefeated through six weeks of play.

49ers vs. Commanders Game Notes

The 49ers’ offense got moving right away, mixing McCaffrey runs with chunk passes. Evans, who didn’t practice during the week due to an ongoing rib injury and new Achilles soreness, caught a 24-yard pass that set up an 11-yard touchdown to Kittle in the back of the end zone. The opening drive quickly covered 64 yards.

This duo can’t be stopped 😤 https://t.co/euzt03LLib

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 20, 2026

TOUCHDOWN KITTLE 🔥 https://t.co/OWE05KMfDp

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 20, 2026

San Francisco’s defense forced a 51-yard field goal from Washington’s Drew Stevens on the other end.

On the next drive, Evans caught a 54-yard pass on San Francisco’s possession before Purdy used his legs to convert a big fourth-and-3. McCaffrey finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Touchdowns on the first two drives gave the Niners a good start to the Monday night matchup. Kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the extra point, leaving the Niners ahead 13-3 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Even with linebacker Dre Greenlaw inactive for a one-game suspension, San Francisco’s defense limited the Commanders’ offense. Washington also lost their top receiving option, Terry McLaurin, who was carted off with a left knee injury and ruled out soon after. Despite being well within field-goal range, Jayden Daniels threw the ball away on fourth-and-2.

With plenty of receivers sidelined, Jordan Watkins helped the offense with a 22-yard completion before McCaffrey fumbled following a catch. It was his first fumble of the season. Washington recovered at their own 19 but couldn’t capitalize, with rookie fourth-round pick Gracen Halton contributing a sack before another punt.

Rookie Gracen Halton with the SACK 💪

WASvsSF on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/fx8fbDQ3MQ

— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2026

Looking to score before the break, Purdy scrambled and dove for a big third-and-11 conversion, then converted a fourth-and-1 sneak near the goal line in the final minute. McCaffrey secured his second 1-yard touchdown of the night, his seventh TD of the season, to send the 49ers into halftime with a 20-3 lead.

Unfortunately, Evans went down late and had to leave the field. After missing all week of practice with the aforementioned injuries, he caught three passes for 94 yards before leaving late in the second quarter. He was subsequently ruled out with an Achilles injury, leaving another key target inactive.

Mike Evans pointed to his Right Achilles after this catch. He wound up walking back into the locker room with trainers.

I would very much like to see him not return to this game so he doesn’t run the risk of rupturing it. https://t.co/hIMSL2KglI

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 20, 2026

San Francisco threw for 303 yards against Washington’s 90, with Purdy completing 17 of 22 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. The Commanders had only two first downs at that point, and they converted just one field goal.

The second half looked like an entirely different game for both teams. Pineiro converted a 33-yard field goal to take a 23-3 lead, but San Francisco’s offense stalled from there.

Washington started finding rhythm through the air, with Stefon Diggs getting more involved before catching a 1-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. On the next possession, Rachaad White caught a 9-yard touchdown reception to bring the Commanders within six.

Jayden Daniels finds Stefon Diggs in the end zone for the TD!

WASvsSF on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/IwlsqZZBiC

— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2026

Without Evans, the Niners lost their biggest source of chunk yardage. Washington also started getting to Purdy, with sacks (an uncommon sight this season) derailing consecutive possessions. San Francisco’s final three drives all ended in three-and-outs, leaving its defense to protect a shrinking lead.

The Commanders nearly took the lead when Jeremy McNichols broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run down the stretch, but guard Chris Paul’s facemask penalty erased it. San Francisco then appeared to get another stop on a fourth-down sack involving Romello Height, but an illegal-contact penalty gave Washington a fresh set of downs.

Malik Mustapha proved to be the hero in the closing minutes. The safety brought down McNichols for no gain on third-and-3, then broke up Daniels’ fourth-down pass to Treylon Burks near the right pylon. The Niners regained possession with less than two minutes remaining.

MALIK MUSTAPHA SAYS NO! 🚫🙅‍♂️ https://t.co/bX0a1k24ej

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 20, 2026

FANTASTIC PBU TO PREVENT THE TD ‼️

WASvsSF on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/hMlXf1fdwc

— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2026

One first down would’ve secured the win, but McCaffrey was stopped, and Washington used its two remaining timeouts to get the ball back and force another punt. Siran Neal’s fair-catch interference penalty added 15 yards, giving the Commanders the ball at their own 46 with 52 seconds left.

Daniels moved Washington downfield with mid-field passes, then spiked the ball to manage the clock. An intentional-grounding penalty, which comes with a 10-second runoff, left six seconds left. White sealed the game with an 18-yard sack, leaving the final scoreboard reading 23-17 in San Francisco’s favor.

Purdy completed 21 of 29 passes without an interception, while McCaffrey logged 64 rushing yards and 53 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Evans remained San Francisco’s leading receiver with 94 yards despite missing the second half, while Kittle caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown.

The win takes the 49ers to 6-0, an impressive start to their 2026 season.