The San Francisco 49ers survived a late rally from the Washington Commanders on Monday to remain perfect this season.
Below, we share our instant takeaways from the 23-17 win.
Key takeaway: 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans‘ Achilles injury threatens to derail offense
During the first half, the 49ers (6-0) appeared headed for a blowout win. The offense was clicking, and the connection between quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Mike Evans was particularly explosive. On five targets, Evans had three receptions for 94 yards, including a long of 54 on the first play of San Francisco’s second drive.
But late in the second quarter, Evans left the game with an Achilles injury and didn’t return.
The offense never looked the same.
Per Sumer Sports data, the Niners had 214 passing yards and averaged 0.17 expected points added (EPA) per pass play in the first half. Over the final two quarters, San Francisco largely avoided throwing the ball, finishing with just six second-half attempts while losing 0.67 EPA per play.
“Obviously, having him out there, he’s a Hall of Famer,” Purdy told ESPN’s Lisa Salters on the field afterward. “What he does for defenses… Force them to have to scheme up stuff,” he continued, adding that San Francisco had to “change it up” with Evans sidelined.
The 49ers have one more game — on the road at the Atlanta Falcons (2-4) — before going on their bye. The upcoming break could come at the perfect time for San Francisco. It needs Evans healthy. Otherwise, the offense isn’t nearly as formidable.
Game MVP: 49ers safety Malik Mustapha
The third-year defensive back earned game MVP honors with consecutive plays that may have saved the 49ers from collecting their first loss.
Late in the fourth quarter, with San Francisco nursing a six-point lead, Mustapha delivered a clean, hard hit to Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols on a 3rd-and-3 inside the red zone to set up fourth down.
On the ensuing play, Mustapha broke up a pass at the front corner of the end zone intended for wide receiver Treylon Burks, forcing a turnover on downs.
With the offense floundering, San Francisco needed its defense to step up to preserve the victory. Mustapha accepted the challenge and delivered two of the game’s most important stops.
Quote of the game: “You don’t throw the ball away on fourth down. You got to at least give your receiver an opportunity.”
Washington’s major gaffe against the New York Giants wasn’t a fluke.
For the past week, the Commanders (1-4-1) have been ridiculed for brutal clock mismanagement during last Sunday’s 27-27 tie when they failed to attempt a potential winning field goal after allowing time to run out while deep in Giants territory.
On Monday, Washington was back at it with more tragic lack of situational awareness.
In the second quarter, the Commanders passed up a field-goal try to attempt a fourth-down conversion. But as quarterback Jayden Daniels rolled out of the pocket to his right, he eventually ran out of room near the sideline and threw an uncatchable ball out of the end zone.
“MNF” color commentator Troy Aikman criticized the decision, saying during the broadcast, “You don’t throw the ball away on fourth down.”
“Another game-situation mistake for Jayden Daniels,” commented “MNF” play-by-play announcer Joe Buck. “You’ve got to give yourself a chance.”
It was another instance of Washington being unprepared for the moment. Whether a product of coaches not emphasizing those details or Daniels failing to grasp them, it can’t happen in the NFL. Not two weeks in a row.
The Commanders have plenty of problems. Entering Week 7, none are more pressing than their pathetic game management.
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