The San Francisco 49ers just became the first team in the entire NFL to hit six wins, holding onto their undefeated record by the skin of their teeth with a 23-17 victory over the Washington Commanders. This wasn’t some blowout for the heavily favored 49ers, though. They started strong but nearly let it slip away, and that’s the kind of game that tells you everything about where teams stand right now in the NFC.
Purdy and McCaffrey Light Up the First Half, But a Fumble Keeps It Interesting
Brock Purdy came out firing, leading the 49ers to a quick 13-3 lead in the first quarter, including an 11-yard touchdown toss to tight end George Kittle and a Christian McCaffrey rushing score that capped off a 72-yard drive. Our rivals down south looked absolutely dominant early on, piling up a 20-3 lead by halftime. McCaffrey even shrugged off a second-quarter fumble to punch in his second touchdown of the game, proving he’s still a force even when he makes a mistake. Purdy finished up 21-for-29 for 264 yards and one touchdown with no picks, a solid day at the office. But here’s the kicker, the Commanders’ offense, led by Jayden Daniels, barely mustered a field goal in that first half. Daniels even threw the ball out of bounds on a fourth-and-2 scramble, drawing a public rebuke from ESPN analyst Troy Aikman, who said, “You don’t throw (the) ball away on fourth down. You gotta at least give your receiver an opportunity.” You just don’t see that kind of miscue often in the NFL.
Washington’s Wild Comeback and What It Means for Our Hawks
The second half was a completely different story. Washington’s defense stiffened up, holding the 49ers to just a field goal. Daniels finally found his rhythm, hitting Stefon Diggs for a short touchdown pass to cut the lead to 23-10 heading into the fourth. Then, the Commanders’ defense forced two huge three-and-outs, giving Daniels the ball back. He connected with Rachaad White for another touchdown reception, shrinking the 49ers’ lead to a single score. The Commanders even ate up 5:52 of clock on a massive drive, only to turn it over on downs at the 49ers’ 27-yard line on an incomplete pass to Treylon Burks in the end zone. But they weren’t done! Washington’s defense forced *another* three-and-out, giving Daniels one more shot with 52 seconds left. The 49ers’ defense had to make a play, and they did, sacking Daniels on the final play to seal the 23-17 win. Daniels ended up with 300 passing yards on 29 of 40 attempts, with two touchdowns. That second-half comeback shows the 49ers aren’t invincible, even if they’re still undefeated. For our Seattle Seahawks, sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference, this 49ers team is still the measuring stick. They’re a perfect 6-0, 4-0 in the conference, and they’re not slowing down. Our Hawks are battling it out, but seeing the division leader be the first team to six wins means we’ve got to find our stride fast if we want to make some noise in the NFC West. Injuries are also hitting around the league, with Mike Evans suffering an Achilles injury and McLaurin getting carted off the field in other games. Staying healthy is going to be key for everyone.
The 49ers are on the road next Sunday to face the Atlanta Falcons, while the Commanders get a much-needed bye week. For our Seahawks, every game from here on out is a chance to chip away at that division lead and show the league we’re here to compete. This season is far from over, and you know the 12s will be loud as ever.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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