San Francisco 49ers 23,
Washington Commanders 17
The San Francisco 49ers held off a second-half comeback by the Washington Commanders to secure a 23–17 victory on Monday Night Football, extending their unbeaten start to the 2026 NFL season.
San Francisco built an early advantage behind quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.
Washington fought back after halftime, but the 49ers’ early scoring cushion proved decisive.
Purdy connected with Kittle for an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
Washington answered with Drew Stevens’ 51-yard field goal, but McCaffrey added a one-yard rushing touchdown to give San Francisco a 13–3 lead after a missed extra point.
Second quarter — 49ers extend their advantage
McCaffrey scored his second one-yard rushing touchdown, and San Francisco carried a commanding 20–3 lead into halftime.
Purdy was efficient, while the 49ers repeatedly found space against Washington’s defense.
Third quarter — Washington begins its comeback
The Commanders found a response after halftime, scoring a touchdown to cut into the deficit.
San Francisco added a 33-yard field goal, however, preserving a two-score advantage
Fourth quarter — San Francisco survives the pressure
Washington scored again to make the contest closer, but the 49ers held on to their six-point lead.
San Francisco’s early offensive production proved enough to secure the victory and maintain its unbeaten record.
Player performances
Brock Purdy — 49ers
Purdy orchestrated the early scoring surge, connecting with Kittle for a touchdown and distributing the ball effectively.
His ability to move the offense helped San Francisco build its decisive first-half lead.
Christian McCaffrey — 49ers
McCaffrey scored twice on short rushing touchdowns, finishing drives that put Washington in a difficult position.
His versatility remained central to San Francisco’s offensive approach.
Jayden Daniels — Commanders
Daniels helped Washington rally after halftime, but the Commanders’ early offensive struggles left them with too much ground to make up.
Washington needed more sustained drives before the fourth quarter.
Major injury concern: Terry McLaurin
Washington suffered a significant setback when wide receiver Terry McLaurin was carted off the field during the first quarter with a left-knee injury.
He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The full severity of the injury requires an official medical update.
Three keys to the 49ers’ victory
Fast start: San Francisco scored 20 first-half points and forced Washington to chase the game.
McCaffrey’s finishing ability: Two short rushing touchdowns converted promising drives into points.
Composure under pressure: The 49ers withstood Washington’s second-half rally without surrendering the lead.
San Francisco did enough early to preserve its perfect start to the season, combining Purdy’s efficient passing with McCaffrey’s red-zone production.
Washington showed fight in the second half but could not overcome its slow start.
The victory keeps the 49ers unbeaten at 6–0, while the Commanders are left to regroup after another difficult result and the worrying injury to McLaurin.
