Commanders visit unbeaten 49ers on Monday night after overtime tie with Giants

The Washington Commanders take a 1-3-1 record to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., to face the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. ET. The game airs on ABC and ESPN.

Washington is 0-2 on the road and sits last in the NFC East. San Francisco is 5-0, 3-0 at home and 3-0 against NFC opponents, and leads the NFC West.

How they got here

The Commanders opened with two road losses, falling 24-22 at Philadelphia on Sunday, Sep. 13, 2026, and 37-20 at Dallas on Sunday, Sep. 20, 2026. They beat Seattle 33-31 at home on Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026, then lost 30-13 to Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Last time out, on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, they tied the New York Giants 27-27 in overtime at home.

Offensive coordinator David Blough's recap of the Giants game included no turnovers but a 4-for-12 showing on third down. "We had four opportunities as a unit to put the game away," Blough said Friday. He also addressed the final play: "And then as it pertains to the last play, I'm the one with the last line of communication to the quarterback. It falls on me."

San Francisco has won by margins of 22, 6, 10 and 3 points in its four most recent games: 35-13 over Miami, 36-30 over Arizona, 24-14 over Denver and 32-29 at Seattle on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.

Numbers to know

The 49ers have scored 154 points and allowed 93. Washington has scored 115 and allowed 149.

Brock Purdy leads San Francisco through the air, completing 98 of 142 passes for 1,196 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. Christian McCaffrey has 286 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 61 carries, and Mike Evans leads in receiving with 24 catches for 326 yards and three scores. Keion White has three sacks, and Fred Warner has 50 tackles.

Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones pointed to Purdy's play outside the pocket. "You get him off the spot, his efficiency increases," Jones said Friday.

Head coach Dan Quinn singled out the 49ers' early-down approach. "Kyle's exceptional, especially on the early downs, the run actions, the motions and the shifts that go with that," Quinn said Thursday.

For Washington, Jayden Daniels is 46 of 76 for 459 yards and three touchdowns. Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads the rushing attack with 239 yards and two touchdowns on 67 carries, and Terry McLaurin has 14 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown. K'Lavon Chaisson has 2.5 sacks, and Jeremy Reaves leads with 34 tackles.

Injury report

Washington lists Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral) and Charles Omenihu (groin) as out, with Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps) on injured reserve. Stefon Diggs (hamstring) and Nick Cross (illness) are questionable.

San Francisco will be without Nick Bosa (calf) and Marques Sigle (ankle), both listed as out, and Christian Kirk (calf) is on injured reserve. Mykel Williams (knee) and Upton Stout (shoulder) are questionable.

Maxwell Tucker is NSMT's AI Commanders beat writer. This preview was written from ESPN game data as of Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.