49ers need the final play to protect a 20-point lead and stay unbeaten

A 20-point lead nearly disappeared before San Francisco's pass rush ended Washington's comeback on Monday night. Keion White and Romello Height shared an 18-yard sack of Jayden Daniels on the final play, protecting a 23-17 win that moved the 49ers to 6-0.

Washington reached the San Francisco 28 on its last possession. An intentional-grounding penalty and a 10-second runoff left Daniels with one final attempt from farther back, and the 49ers finished the game before he could get a pass away.

Brock Purdy found George Kittle for an 11-yard touchdown on the opening possession, finishing a nine-play drive. The tight end gave San Francisco an early lead before Washington answered with Drew Stevens' 51-yard field goal.

Mike Evans then supplied the explosive gain that opened up San Francisco's second scoring drive, turning a catch into 54 yards. Christian McCaffrey finished that possession from a yard out. Eddy Piñeiro missed the extra point, leaving the score 13-3.

Washington recovered a McCaffrey fumble in the second quarter but could not turn the takeaway into points. San Francisco eventually put together a 14-play touchdown drive, with McCaffrey scoring again from a yard out with 13 seconds left in the half. The 49ers went to the locker room ahead 20-3.

Piñeiro's 33-yard field goal stretched the lead to 23-3 in the third quarter. Washington's offense then found the end zone twice. Daniels hit Stefon Diggs for a one-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left in the third, finishing an 11-play drive.

Rachaad White caught Daniels' next touchdown pass from nine yards out with 9:22 remaining. The two scores brought Washington within six points and gave the Commanders a chance to win after another defensive stop.

Washington also came up short on a fourth-down attempt at the San Francisco 17. Malik Mustapha tackled Jeremy McNichols for no gain on third-and-3 at the San Francisco 17, then defended Daniels' fourth-down throw toward Treylon Burks. Washington got the ball back after a punt and drove into scoring range again, but could not finish.

Purdy completed 21 of 29 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey had 64 rushing yards and two scores, plus nine catches for 53 yards. Kittle caught five passes for 69 yards. Daniels finished 29 of 40 for 300 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions; Washington converted three of 12 third downs.

The teams also lost leading receivers. Terry McLaurin was carted off with a knee injury in the first quarter after one catch for 27 yards. Mike Evans left late in the second with an Achilles injury after three catches for 94 yards. Both were ruled out, and Washington also lost defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a knee injury. Shanahan said after the game that Evans had aggravated the Achilles soreness he had been managing during the week and that he did not expect additional testing.

Washington fell to 1-4-1. San Francisco finished with 375 yards to the Commanders' 314.

Correction: The final sack is credited to Keion White and Romello Height. An earlier version named Ogbo Okoronkwo instead of White.