LANDOVER, Md. – The San Francisco 49ers secured the top seed in the NFC, along with a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs, following a convincing 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders. The 49ers’ path to the top spot was solidified after the Philadelphia Eagles’ unexpected loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy rebounded impressively from his previous game, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns, breaking Jeff Garcia’s season franchise record for passing yards. San Francisco’s offense was further bolstered by touchdown receptions from Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and a rushing touchdown by Elijah Mitchell.
However, the win was marred by an injury to star running back Christian McCaffrey, who left the game with a calf injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan remains hopeful about McCaffrey’s condition, despite uncertainty about his availability for the next game.
The 49ers’ defense also made significant contributions, intercepting Commanders quarterback Sam Howell twice, with Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir each grabbing a pick. Howell, starting in place of the injured Jacoby Brissett, struggled against San Francisco’s defense, adding to his league-leading interception count.
Washington, which has now lost seven straight games, faces a future filled with changes under new ownership. Meanwhile, the 49ers, with a record of 12-4, are setting their sights on a deep playoff run, buoyed by their strong performance and the advantageous position as the conference’s top seed.
The game also marked a homecoming for former Washington players Trent Williams and Chase Young, who both played their first game at FedEx Field as visitors. Shanahan, who had a personal history with Washington as an assistant coach, downplayed any emotional ties, focusing instead on the current state of the team.
Injuries were a concern for both teams, with the 49ers missing several key players due to various ailments. The Commanders also suffered injuries during the game, including cornerback Tarik Castro-Fields and Christian Holmes, as well as right tackle Andrew Wylie being sidelined.
Looking ahead, the 49ers will host the Los Angeles Rams in their next game, while the Commanders are set to face the Dallas Cowboys, each team preparing for their final regular-season matchups.
