Week 16: San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders game recap and analysis
On Saturday, December 24, 2022, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Washington Commanders in a matchup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers entered the game with a record of 10-4, while the Commanders had a record of 7-6-1. The game was televised on CBS and kicked off at 4:05 PM ET.
In the end, it was San Francisco who came out on top, defeating the Commanders 37-20. The Niners dominated from start to finish, with strong performances on both offense and defense.
High-powered 49ers offense leads the way
The 49ers' offense was led by quarterback Brock Purdy, who completed 15 of 22 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy also rushed for six yards on one carry. Wide receiver George Kittle had a standout game, catching six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk also had a strong performance, catching five passes for 81 yards.
The 49ers' rushing attack was also effective, with Ray-Ray McCloud III leading the way with one carry for 71 yards and a touchdown. Christian McCaffrey had 15 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown, and Tyrion Davis-Price had nine carries for 30 yards.
The Commanders, on the other hand, struggled to get their offense going. Quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz combined to complete 25 of 34 passes for 270 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin had a strong game, catching four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, but the rest of the receiving corps was largely ineffective.
The Commanders' rushing attack was also underwhelming, with Brian Robinson Jr. leading the way with 22 carries for 58 yards. As a whole, the team rushed for just 79 yards on 33 carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers put on a strong performance, holding the Commanders to just 20 points and forcing two turnovers. Linebacker Fred Warner led the way with 13 tackles. Nick Bosa also had a strong game, recording two sacks and one forced fumble.
Overall, it was a dominant performance by the Niners, although they outgained the Commanders by just 22 total yards. The Commanders, on the other hand, continue to struggle, with this loss marking their third straight winless game.
Looking ahead, San Francisco will face off against the Raiders in Las Vegas, while Washington will take on the Cleveland Browns at home.