Week 6 · 2026
Christian McCaffrey’s Goal-Line Runs Carry 49ers to 6-0 Start
Washington Commanders 17 at San Francisco 49ers 23
The Yard That Counted
Christian McCaffrey kept reaching the smallest, toughest part of the field: the final yard before the goal line. His two 1-yard touchdown runs helped the San Francisco 49ers beat the Washington Commanders 23-17 on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium. San Francisco arrived with a 5-0 record and a chance to stay unbeaten. Brock Purdy helped the 49ers start fast. He threw a 24-yard pass to Mike Evans, and McCaffrey added short runs and catches. Then George Kittle caught an 11-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead. Washington answered when Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for 27 yards, setting up a 51-yard field goal by Drew Stevens.
McCaffrey Pushes Through
San Francisco kept moving with a smart strategy of mixing long passes with short, hard runs. Evans caught a 54-yard pass, putting the 49ers close enough for McCaffrey to power in from the 1-yard line. The extra-point kick missed, but San Francisco led 13-3. Purdy then used his own runs to keep another drive alive. With 13 seconds left in the first half, McCaffrey crossed the goal line again from 1 yard out. The score became 20-3. The lead had survived a scare, too: linebacker Frankie Luvu knocked the ball loose from McCaffrey at Washington’s 19-yard line. San Francisco’s defense forced a punt after that, stopping Washington from changing the game.
One Last Washington Charge
After halftime, Kittle made a 35-yard catch that led to a 33-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro. At 23-3, the game seemed settled. Yet Daniels kept bringing Washington forward. Chig Okonkwo made key catches on a long drive, and Daniels threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. The fourth quarter grew tight when Daniels found Antonio Williams for 23 yards and later hit Rachaad White for a 9-yard touchdown. Washington trailed 23-17 with 9:22 left. Daniels got the ball one final time and moved his team to the San Francisco 28-yard line. But a penalty for throwing the ball away under pressure, followed by a sack, ended the drive. McCaffrey finished with 117 yards from scrimmage, and the 49ers left with a 6-0 start still alive.