The 49ers started the game as expected. The 49ers’ defense forced a punt and had a turnover on downs on the first four possessions. Washington tried fourth place, but to no avail.
Brock Purdy and the offense moved the ball with ease before a trick play on 4th & 1 failed. The offensive would continue to sputter on its subsequent drive, but the fighting would end there.
From their 1-yard line, the 49ers marched 99 yards thanks to Ray-Ray McCloud, who passed the Commanders’ defense on a perfectly blocked reverse en route to a 71-yard touchdown. This gave San Francisco a 7-0 lead.
Washington was the beneficiary of a lucky strike when a pass that caught Jauan Jennings in the hands deflected into the air and into the hands of Washington’s defender. Their wideout also got lucky in a first down on a third down target, resulting in a Commanders touchdown. It was 7-7 and we went into halftime.
Commanders had been 7th defensively in the DVOA since Week 10 and had the second best pass defense. That showed in the first half, but that was to change in the second half.
The 49ers scored 30 points in the second half. They had seven drives and scored on six of them. The offense doesn’t get all the credit here, as the defense forced a turnover on downs that gave the offense a short field. George Kittle eventually hit a 34-yard touchdown pass. Washington also had a fumble and an interception. But that’s the kind of complementary football it takes to win it all.
Nick Bosa had a couple of sacks and QB hits and lived in the backfield all afternoon. Don’t be surprised if he’s in double digits when the stats come out.
Jimmie Ward continued his high level play in the slot and was rewarded with an interception. It felt like secondary school had multiple passes in hand. Tashaun Gipson almost had an interception on the game’s first possession. Talanoa Hufanga almost knocked Taylor Heinicke out.
Kittle finished the game with six receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk had five receptions for 81 yards. They would have had no idea the team is without Deebo Samuel.
This was a disappointment for almost every team in the NFL. The 49ers had an emotional win over a divisional rivalry and had little to play on Saturday. Still, they come out of the half and establish their dominance. Impressive, and that’s why this is arguably the best team in the NFL.