The San Francisco 49ers kept their perfect season alive on Monday night, grinding out a 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium to move to 6-0 on the 2026 NFL season.
The unbeaten 49ers looked in control for long stretches but needed their defense to slam the door late, as Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels threw two second-half touchdown passes to trim the lead and set up a tense finish.
McCaffrey and Purdy Power San Francisco
Christian McCaffrey was the engine of the 49ers offense, punching in two touchdown runs, while Brock Purdy found George Kittle for another score to build a cushion the visitors never quite erased.
San Francisco’s balance remains its calling card. The running game opened up play-action looks for Purdy, and the offensive line kept Washington’s pass rush quiet when it mattered most. Every time the Commanders threatened, the 49ers had an answer.
Daniels Rallies Commanders, But Falls Short
Jayden Daniels refused to let the game become a blowout, engineering two scoring drives after halftime to keep Washington within striking distance. But San Francisco’s defense tightened in the final quarter, forcing the stops that preserved the undefeated record.
The loss drops the Commanders to 1-4-1 and turns up the heat on head coach Dan Quinn, whose sideline demeanor during a fourth-down blunder became one of the night’s most replayed clips on social media.
What This Means for the NFC
At 6-0, San Francisco remains the only unbeaten team in the NFC and the standard everyone else is chasing. The 49ers opened the season with a statement win over the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and have not looked back since.
The victory also keeps San Francisco a game ahead of 5-0 Kansas City and 5-0 Minnesota in the race for the league’s best record. With a trip to Atlanta on deck in Week 7, the 49ers have a real shot at carrying an unbeaten mark deep into the fall.
