This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers (10-4) week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders (7-6-1) from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. I will provide updates and analysis throughout the game.
11:12 San Francisco has activated Javon Kinlaw off IR. This will be the first time since week two the 49ers will have their entire starting defensive line available to them.
San Francisco also elevated defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour and wide receiver Willie Snead from the practice squad.
11:40 Inactive for the 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), Deebo Samuel (knee/ankle), Kevin Givens (knee), Kerry Hyder (knee), Drake Jackson, Nick Zakelj, Ross Dwelley.
Kerry Hyder being inactive explains the elevation of Michael Dwumfour. Hyder had been playing inside since the injury to Givens.
Jackson being inactive is a bit of a surprise. The rookie had been active for the first 14 games of the season.
12:15 Here are my five things to watch for today:
- Brock Purdy getting into rhythm
- 49ers offensive line vs Commanders pass rush
- Stopping the Washington run game
- Forcing Taylor Heinicke into mistakes
- Turnovers
1:07 Jordan Mason down on the opening kickoff. Appeared the trainers were looking at his right knee before he jogged off the field.
1:09 49ers defense with a quick three and out to start the game. Brian Robinson Jr. dropped for a loss of two on first down by Tashaun Gipson. Javon Kinlaw stops Robinson Jr. after a gain of six, and then Heinicke goes deep to Dotson who had beat Lenoir but the pass is dropped.
1:17 49ers move the ball down to the 15 where Kyle Shanahan chooses to go for it on fourth and one instead of takign the points. He calls a trick play with Kyle Juszczyk running an option to the left with Christian McCaffrey and Washington stops it for no gain.
The choice to go for it there is questionable. The play call was terrible.
1:24 The 49ers defense with another three and out and drops Robinson Jr. for a loss on first down once again. Washington’s offense has no shot if they can’t find success on first down. San Francisco’s pass rush and defense is too good.
1:29 Purdy hits McCaffrey for six yards to open the possession, but an incompletion and sack follow and it’s a quick three and out.
Spencer Burford was beat by Daron Payne for the sack. The middle of the 49ers offensive line is in for a stiff challenge. Had held up well before the sack.
1:38 Javon Kinlaw started the game but has been off the field since the first series.
1:39 First quarter comes to a close with the game tied at zero and Washington facing third and nine from their 44.
1:45 Hufanga misses Heinicke, and the Washington quarterback throws a strick to Dotson for a gain of 25 down.
1:47 WOW. The 49ers defense comes up with a goalline stand, stopping Robinson Jr. for no gain on consecutive runs from the one. Dre Greenlaw with the stop on third down and Fred Warner on fourth down.
Javon Kinlaw ate up two offensive linemen on the fourth down play which allowed Warner a free path to the running back.
1:52 Ray-Ray McCloud with a 71-yard blast around the right side for a touchdown. The receiver was untouched on the end around.
The depth of this 49ers team is incredible. McCloud had spent the entire offseason running plays usually designed for Deebo Samuel. It paid off right there.
49ers 7 Commanders 0
2:04 Washington has run the ball ten times on first down and gained nine yards.
2:07 Purdy hits Jauan Jennings on a slant, but the wideout can’t hold on to the ball and it bounces into the hands of a Washington defender for an interception. Commanders take over at the 31.
The ball was on Jennings’ hip, but that needs to be caught.
2:17 Washington makes the 49ers pay. Taylor Heinicke with a touchdown pass from four yards out to Dotson to tie the game at 7.
Heinike has been on target in the first half with several big throws on third down. He is 8-11, 89 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy is 4-9, 55 yards with an interception.
2:22 Halftime. 49ers 7 Commanders 7
So far, this game has followed the Commanders script. Washington held the ball for 20:12 in the first half, ran 36 plays to 21 for San Francisco, and came up with a big turnover on defense.
2:42 Terrific opening possession for Brock Purdy. Hits all three of his passes for 60 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown deep down the middle to George Kittle.
The 49ers offensive line has been pretty good today and gave Purdy plenty of time to throw there.
2:47 49ers defense opens the second half with a quick three and out. After a pair of plays gain four yards, DeMeco Ryans dials up pressure on third and six leading to an incompletion over the middle.
San Francisco will take over with good field position at their own 43.
2:53 A holding penalty on Aaron Banks wipes out a first down throw from Purdy to Kittle and the 49ers offense is stifled. Purdy did have an exciting throwaway though.
2:59 Another big fourth down stop for the 49ers defense. This time they stuff Heinicke on a sneak, giving the offense terrific field position at the Commanders 34.
3:04 Brock Purdy makes Ron Rivera pay, hitting George Kittle with a short throw off play action and the tight end takes it the rest of the way for a 33-yard touchdown.
49ers 21 Commanders 7
That was Kittle’s fourth touchdown grab in the last two weeks, giving him a team-high eight this season.
3:10 With Charvarius Ward in the blue medical tent, Heinicke goes after rookie Samuel Womack and hits a 51 yard deep shot to Terry McLaurin. Two plays later he finds McLaurin again from three yards out for a touchdown.
49ers 21 Commanders 14
3:23 Purdy hits Aiyuk for a 54 yard catch and run on first down. The offense goes backward from there and Robbie Gould connects from 26 yards out.
49ers 24 Commanders 14
3:26 Nick Bosa gets to Heinicke, the ball pops up and Jordan Willis catches it. 49ers take over at the 11.
3:30 Mike McGlinchey jumps offside inside the redzone for the second consecutive possession, and the 49ers offense can’t do anything with the great field position. Gould hits from 23 yards out to make it 27-14.
3:36 Jimmie Ward intercepts Heinicke. That’s his third interception of the season, a career high.
3:54 Carson Wentz comes in and leads Washington on an 82-yard drive, hitting Curtis Samuel from 20 yards out over the coverage of Jimmie Ward. The two-point conversion fails when Bosa sacks Wentz and it is a ten point 49ers lead.
3:56 Special teams coaches spend hours and hours to come up with plays only to see their kicker spin the onside kick backward.
With Kinlaw playing 12 to 18 plays and Jackson, Givens and Hyder out, the 49ers are pretty thin at D line. It makes me that much more secure in my pick of Wash and 7. They need a huge game out of T.Y. McGill.
I agree. Not sure why Jackson is a healthy scratch?
Not sure why they would have Drake Jackson inactive? Is Hyder inactive because he’s hurt?
Hyder is nursing an ankle
Whatever happened to Ross Dwelly who was a receiving threat? Kroft is better? Is Dwelly gone or in the doghouse after the season?
Are we sure Jackson is a healthy scratch. As to Dwelley he is a good pass catcher but a weak blocker.
I hope we can see Nick Z. before the playoffs. I hear he and Kalia look good….
D got lucky that Dotson dropped that pass.
Against a really good defense you kick the field goal, imo.
horrid offense there.
let Purdy throw in the red zone!
Well that was a stupid play call! Jack has clearly shown us how inept the o-line is getting any push in short yardage. Yet Kyle twice tries runs and fails miserably. That is one place Jimmy was elite, the QB sneak.
agree..lousy gimmick play
So far the O line is failing miserably. No surprise to me
They are up against one of top interior lines. A little early to be complaining.
Seems like the NFL wants to outlaw the sack, they ALWAYS find a penalty to call.
Who is this Dwumfour guy on the D-line??
called up from practice squad
Where is Armstead and Kinlaw. They subbing a lot?
I bet both are on play counts. You now Kinlaw is for sure.
bad play be huf
Come on hold them to 3!
The defense is having trouble with Robinson.
Niners did a good job there but sort of a sluggish game so far with no sacks.
The refs will just call a penalty if they do get a sack.
The offense is what is sluggish. Kyle needs to get it going. Not impressed with his game plan so far.
Great stop by the defensive front, but the secondary leaves something to be desired.
Kinlaw hurt again?
Ray Ray!
HOLY CRAP RAY RAY!
I still think Lenoir is a weak spot. We need to get a shut down CB in the offseason
Ray Ray: One of the best pick ups in a long while.
What’s Kinlaw’s number?
99 I believe
Yeah, that’s what I thought. thanks.
I need more Dwumfour.
Please pressure or sack the hein please. I would accept a pick here
The Niner defense has gotten VERY lucky with so many long passes eliminated by penalty. I guess they cancel all the penalties on their sacks.
Well 💩💩💩💩
That interception should not be charged to Purdy.
Balances the times Purdy threw the ball right into a defenders hands and they refused to catch it. As has happened in each of the last two games.
Jack:
Is KInlaw out with an injury?
I’m sure he’s on a snap count. But wouldn’t surprise me if he injured his hair either.
Pass defense failed repeatedly on that drive. Do better.
This secondary is really suspect. Lenoir seems to be getting beat on most plays. Commanders made the smart move in passing against the secondary rather than running against the front.
I am convinced that the way to beat the 49ers is to throw on every down.
Agreed.
Purdy hasn’t been great today, but the O-line has been allowing a lot of pressure. I hope they regroup and come out firing in the second half.
Washington is a solid team
No doubt. Recently that division was a joke, but not any more.
agree
Give it to CMC!
PUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRdy!
Purdy is something and that O-line (McGinchey!) did a fantastic job.
BIG 🐓 BROCK! Hell of a pass!
I’m surprised at how Kittle has been such an integral part of TD receptions with Purdy, but really wasn’t with Jimmy G. Makes me wonder if Purdy sees more than Jimmy G does or perhaps he is willing to wait a bit longer.
He is also willing to pull the trigger on deep throws. Jimmy would just pass them up for the dump off.
Nice heads up play by Brock given the circumstances.
Hell of throwaway. Showing very good mobility to elude a DB.
lousy punt
“Riverboat Gambler Rivera”
Again, Davis-Price has not shown much
What 2 YPC isn’t what you spend a third round pick on?
Kitttleeeeeeeeeee
Amazing that Kittle is such a Jimmy guy when Jimmy has held Kittle’s career back so much.
This secondary is really bad. The 49ers aren’t going far in the playoffs if they don’t improve.
Pass rush anyone? That was an embarrassing sequence of plays by the defense. Just let Wash. right back in the game.
I’ll stick with my guns. Hufunga is a liability in that secondary. A coupe of TO’s doesn’t change the fact he blows assignments for scores. And Philly and Dallas will go after that all day. He better start getting better at that.
He was selected to the pro bowl.
Greenlaw and CMC weren’t. See where I could go with this?
boooooooooooooossssssaaaaaaaaaaa
Come on McGrinchy, I know your ribs are killing you, but stop with the penalties.
Nice play from Ward. They need a TD. The Niners kryptonite is warming up (Wentz).
And right on que Wentz has sliced and diced the Niners defense.
I sure hope no NFC West team picks up Wentz.
kidddleeeeeeee
Kudos to the team for great half time adjustments. But the pass defense still concerns me when it comes to the teams the 49ers will face in the playoffs.
Great win, if there were any weaknesses it was the play of the LB’s and DBs on pass D. There were a few break downs. Secondly the O line was inconsistent once again in run blocking and McGlinchey was mistake prone. I am so glad I didn’t take my own advice and take the Commanders and the points.
Nice win, considering the fact that Washington needed to get a win today to help their playoffs position.
I’m getting more impressed with Purdy with each game. Today he again showed me that the stage isn’t to big for him.
I especially liked the play that he didn’t make. Which was running out of the pocket to his left and instead of going out of bounds for a significant loss, he torqued his body around and threw the ball away.
That was a smart non-play.
My high school coach used to say, I want you to be strong and fast, and I’m talking about your brain!
Maybe Purdy heard that somewhere, lol
He also had that “non play” sack where he ran out of bounds on the busted screen play. If he threw it would have been a penalty for illegal man downfield. Heads up play for the rook
Yes, you’re right MD.
He also had that “non play” sack where he ran out of bounds on the busted screen play. If he threw it would have been a penalty for illegal man downfield. Heads up play for the rook.