Purdy and the 49ers build a big
lead and hold on to beat the Commanders 23-17
[October 20, 2026]
By JOSH DUBOW
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy and the offense staked San
Francisco to a big lead. The defense made sure the 49ers remained
undefeated.
Purdy threw a touchdown pass, Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores
and the 49ers made two late stops to hold off the Washington
Commanders 23-17 on Monday night for their sixth straight win to
open the season.
“You’re not always happy exactly with how some of the stuff was
frustrating, but real proud of the guys for just the competitive
stamina to keep it going all game,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I was
really proud of the defense for finding a way to overcome.”
The Niners followed up an emotional win last week at division-rival
Seattle by building a 20-point lead and then escaping at the end
when the defense stepped up.
Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes in the second half to cut
a 20-point deficit to 23-17, but Malik Mustapha broke up a
fourth-down pass to Treylon Burks near the goal line with 1:54 to
play to preserve the lead.
“I’m just reading the stem of the receiver, and then he broke out,
and I was just trying to race to the pylon,” Mustapha said. “Once we
got to the catch point, I just wanted to be physical at the point of
attack and get that ball out.”
Washington got the ball back at its 46 with 52 seconds remaining and
moved down to the 28 before Daniels was called for intentional
grounding, giving the Commanders one last play from the 40. Daniels
was then sacked by Keion White and Ogbo Okoronkwo before he could
throw up a desperation pass.
The Niners extended their best start of a season since winning their
first eight games in 2019 on the way to a Super Bowl appearance.
“We dug ourselves in a hole, and it bit us at the end of it,”
Daniels said. “We have to be a four-quarter team, not just a half
team.”
Purdy started the game fast with a 24-yard strike to Mike Evans on
the third play of the game and an 11-yard touchdown to George Kittle
to finish that drive. Purdy went 21 of 29 for 264 yards and
officially became the highest-rated passer in NFL history as he
passed the 1,500-attempt threshold to qualify. His 105.6 rating is
ahead of Lamar Jackson's 102.7.
The Commanders were unable to bounce back from last week's tie
against the New York Giants, when they mismanaged the clock in
overtime to cost them a chance at a game-winning field goal.
The game was one-sided early, with the 49ers scoring touchdowns on
the first two drives on Purdy's pass to Kittle and a 1-yard run by
McCaffrey.
San Francisco expanded the lead to 20-3 late in the half on
McCaffrey's second touchdown run as the Niners gained as many first
downs (17) in the first half as the Commanders ran plays.
[to top of second column] |
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles while
pressured against the Washington Commanders during the first half of
an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The 49ers outgained Washington 303 yards to 90 in
the half but were held to three first downs and 72 yards after
halftime.
“I’m obviously a little upset with how I finish the game,” Purdy
said. “But I know that moving forward, every single game matters
when it comes down to playoffs and getting in and all the things. So
we’ll take this W as a team.”
Washington's best chance at scoring a touchdown in the first half
ended when Daniels threw the ball away on fourth-and-2 from the 13.
“San Francisco’s already a tough team and we spent way too much time
in the first half battling ourselves,” coach Dan Quinn said. “I’m
sick about the ending, but we showed a lot of fight.”
Shanahan and Quinn renew their history
The game featured a matchup of coaches with a history together,
after Shanahan working for two years in Atlanta as offensive
coordinator for Quinn. That run included a trip to the Super Bowl in
the 2016 season when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against New
England.
This is the second time they've squared off as head coaches since
then, with Quinn winning with Atlanta in 2019 while Shanahan won
three matchups when Quinn was the defensive coordinator in Dallas.
Shanahan has credited Quinn with teaching him the importance of
people skills as a head coach.
Injuries
Commanders: WR Terry McLaurin exited in the first quarter with a
left knee injury that required an air cast before he was taken off
the field on a cart. Quinn said the team fears the injury is
significant. ... DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) also left in the first half.
49ers: Evans left late in the first half with Achilles tendinitis.
He missed practice this week because of soreness in the tendon and
broken ribs. Shanahan said Evans won't need additional testing and
the injury isn't believed to be long term. ... LB Luke Gifford
(groin) and DB Upton Stout (shoulder) also left the game.
Up next
Commanders: After a bye, host Philadelphia on Nov. 1.
49ers: Visit Atlanta on Sunday.
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