49ers report card: Clutch moments in Washington deliver win, No. 1 seed
LANDOVER, Md. – Here is how the 49ers (12-4) graded in Sunday’s 27-10 win over the host Washington Commanders to help secure the No. 1 seed for the upcoming NFC playoffs:
PASS OFFENSE: A
Brock Purdy rebounded from his career-worst outing on Christmas (four interceptions) and delivered a turnover-free outing that finished strong. He was 22-of-28 for 230 yards with touchdown passes to Deebo Samuel (2 yards; first-quarter shovel pass) and Brandon Aiyuk (17 yards; fourth-quarter improv theater). Purdy’s 4,280 yards this season thus catapulted him past Steve Young (4,170) and Jeff Garcia (4,278) for the most in a 49ers season. Purdy’s 31 touchdown passes are tied for fourth-most, behind Steve Young (36, 1998; 35, 1994) and Jeff Garcia (32, 2001). One more: Purdy’s 124.7 passer rating marked his eighth over 120 this season, which trails only Aaron Rodgers (10, 2020) in NFL history. That is where Purdy’s numbers likely will finish if the 49ers wisely rest him in a Week 18 finale with the Rams that has no bearing on their playoff position. George Kittle (three catches, 29 yards) cleared the 1,000-yard mark (1,020) for a third time in his career, and only Jerry Rice (12) and Terrell Owens (five) have more in 49ers history. Brandon Aiyuk’s 114 yards raised his career-high total this season to 1,317 (seven touchdowns).
RUN OFFENSE: B
Christian McCaffrey essentially wrapped up the NFL rushing title (1,459 yards) and must recover now from a right-calf strain that sidelined him after late in the third quarter (14 carries, 64 yards). Elijah Mitchell relieved McCaffrey and delivered 80 yards for the first time since November 2022, not to mention his first touchdown since last season’s playoff opener. Not only did the offensive line keep Purdy from getting sacked, it largely fared well against a tough interior defense, and the 49ers did so with a wounded offensive line. Trent Williams returned from a groin injury while Jon Feliciano started in place of Aaron Banks (toe) at left guard.
PASS DEFENSE: B
The 49ers let Sam Howell keep the Commanders in the game … up until Charvarius Ward’s interception at the 2-yard line two snaps into the fourth quarter. “Hopefully that catapults me into the All-Pro ballot,” said Ward, who has five interceptions and a NFL-high 23 passes defensed. “Not trying to be selfish and talk about my stats. But I feel I’ve had a heck of a season. I definitely got better than last year.” Ward’s interception came in coverage against Terry McLaurin, who beat Ambry Thomas for a second-quarter touchdown and Deommodore Lenoir for a 42-yard gainer. The 49ers’ only sack was timely, as Clelin Ferrell delivered it on third down to force a three-and-out right after halftime.
RUN DEFENSE: B
Nick Bosa said that Brian Robinson proved a tough runner but he only had nine carries (44 yards). Bosa had two tackles for loss while linebackers Dre Greenlaw (10 tackles) and Fred Warner (six) played OK. But there are still too many missed tackles in the second level. Logan Ryan made a nice open-field stop as he started in place of Ji’Ayir Brown.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-
Jake Moody made his kicks (two field goals, three point-after attempts). Ronnie Bell had a 17-yard punt return, then no gain on his other. Ray-Ray McCloud could come off Injured Reseve next week or for the playoff opener.
COACHING: A-
Kyle Shanahan has a No. 1 playoff seed for the second time, with plans on again parlaying it into a Super Bowl trip. Shanahan made sure to praise defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for an all-out blitz call that produced Ward’s interception (as opposed to condemning such a call just before halftime in the loss at Minnesota).