49ers vs. Commanders score, takeaways: George Kittle's huge day powers San Francisco to eighth straight win

San Francisco once again looked like a legitimate contender in Week 16 against Washington

The San Francisco 49ers won their eighth straight game as they defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20 in Week 16. The 49ers never trailed in this matchup, and their No. 1 defense got Taylor Heinicke benched for Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter after back-to-back Washington turnovers.

Brock Purdy completed 15-of-22 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his third career start. George Kittle had another huge game with 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six catches. Christian McCaffrey was somewhat held in check with just 58 scrimmage yards and one touchdown. 

As for the Commanders, Heinicke completed 13-of-18 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and one interception before being benched. Wentz came in and completed 12-of-16 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter. Washington's emerging big three of Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel caught a touchdown apiece. 

The 11-4 Niners have already clinched the NFC West, but still have a No. 2 seed to play for. As for the 7-7-1 Commanders, they hold onto the No. 7 seed in the NFC, thanks to losses from the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.

So, what happened in Santa Clara on Saturday? Let's take a look

Why the 49ers won

The 37 points the 49ers scored in Week 16 are tied for the second-most they have scored in a game this season. In the last four games Purdy has played in, San Francisco has scored at least 33 points in three of them. The 49ers' No. 1-ranked defense is obviously the headline when it comes to this squad, but it seems to get lost on people that this offense can put up points. Even with McCaffrey not having his best outing, Kittle recorded his first 100-yard game of the season and caught two touchdowns for the second straight week, Brandon Aiyuk caught five passes for 81 yards and Ray-Ray McCloud had an impressive 71-yard rushing touchdown as well. 

The 30 points San Francisco scored in the second half propelled the 49ers to victory. When both sides of the ball are gelling like they did in the final two quarters, the 49ers are hard to stop. They punted just once in the second half!

Why the Commanders lost

There's plenty of blame to go around for this loss, but the second-half collapse is why the Commanders lost on Saturday. They went into halftime tied with the 49ers, but ended up losing by 17 points. The 37 points Washington allowed Saturday are the most allowed by the Commanders in a game this season, and the offense didn't exactly help the defense by turning the ball over and giving the 49ers a short field twice. 

The 49ers went just 1 of 5 in the red zone, but "bend but don't break" doesn't work if you spend the entire game "bent." Robbie Gould hit all three of his field goal attempts in the second half.  

Turning point

Nick Bosa is a superstar, as he recorded two sacks on Saturday. Early in the fourth quarter, Bosa beat Cornelius Lucas around the edge, hit Heinicke from behind, popped the ball out and it was caught by Jordan Willis. This gave the 49ers a short field, and they extended their lead to 13 points with a 23-yard field goal. 

Two plays into Washington's next possession, Heinicke threw an interception to Jimmie Ward. This led to another 49ers field goal to extend the lead to 16 points, and Heinicke was then benched for Wentz. 

Play of the game

Ray-Ray McCloud probably isn't a player that's starting in many fantasy lineups this week, but he's a speedy weapon with home-run potential. He showed just that on this 71-yard touchdown rush. 

What's great about this play is the blocking -- specifically McCaffrey, who helped create the running lane. 

Heinicke benched

After two straight turnovers, Rivera made the decision to go to Wentz. He hinted earlier this week that a quarterback switch could be coming, but was it the right move? Wentz did lead an 11-play, 82-yard touchdown drive as soon as he entered the game, but Heinicke is 5-3-1 as the starter this season, while Wentz is 2-4. 

The Commanders were not headed in the right direction with Wentz under center. After his injury, Heinicke came in and sparked the offense, going 5-1-1 in his first seven starts. Now that the Commanders have dropped two straight, another quarterback change could be coming. In the postgame press conference, Rivera wasn't ready to name a starter for Week 17, but you can bet it's likely going to be Wentz. The Commanders control their own destiny when it comes to the playoff picture, so this is a massive decision. 

What's next

The Commanders return home next week to host Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. As for the 49ers, they hit the road to take on the Las Vegas Raiders.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:59 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Pretty funny.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Carson Wentz leads an 11-play, 82-yard drive that ends with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel. Solid drive, although it looked like the 49ers actually had an interception during that drive. Weird situation.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:37 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

This game took a turn! After the 49ers field goal to extend the lead to 13 points, Heinicke throws an interception. It was not a pick six, as Ward was touched down.

Wentz is warming up on the sideline. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:28 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Nick Bosa! Superstar. Hits Heinicke from behind, and the ball is caught by Jordan Willis. 49ers now have possession at the Washington 11-yard line. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:23 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Five-play, 52-yard drive that ends with a 26-yard field goal. 24-14 49ers with 14:56 remaining. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:20 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Putting the offense out there on fourth-and-goal from the eight-yard line is a bit silly. End of quarter three. 49ers should kick this chip shot and extend their lead to 10 points. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:16 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Defense is killing the Commanders. Aiyuk explodes for 54 yards on a play that probably shouldn't have gone for that much. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

In the blink of an eye ... Commanders go 75 yards down the field on four plays. Terry McLaurin catches a three-yard touchdown after a 51-yard catch. 

21-14 49ers with 2:46 remaining

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:08 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Terry McLaurin for 51 yards. Dude is elite. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:06 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Two plays, 34 yards, seven points. George Kittle rumbles 33 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown of the day. He was wide open, and then no one wanted to open-field tackle. 49ers rolling. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:05 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

This is the second week in a row defenses have made no attempt to cover George Kittle. Second week in a row he has two touchdowns. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 6:00 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Commanders go for it on fourth and short from their own 34-yard line. Heinicke does not get it on the QB sneak. He hesitated it looked like. That's a big moment. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:56 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Commanders defense gets off the field thanks to a holding penalty on the second play of the drive. Purdy couldn't overcome a second-and-17. For Washington, you want to see some points here. Time ticking down in the third quarter. Have to make the most of your opportunities. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:48 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Washington answers San Francisco's touchdown with a three-and-out. Heinicke missed Gibson across the middle on third-and-6. Purdy could really put some pressure on WAS with a score on this possession. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:42 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Brock Purdy finds George Kittle streaking down the middle of the field for a 34-yard touchdown. Huge play. 

Purdy had two open wideouts down the field! Not good from the Commanders defense. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:36 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

I'm telling you, these WAS WRs are something to watch in the second half. McLaurin has drawn two holding penalties, had a couple big catches and Dotson has made some big plays too -- including the TD. 

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:28 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

HALFTIME ... tied at 7 apiece.

1st downs: WAS 10 SF 5
3rd downs: WAS 4-8 SF 2-4
Total yards: WAS 132 SF 149
TOP: WAS 20:12 SF 9:48

Taylor Heinicke: 8/11 89 yds 1 TD
Brock Purdy: 4/9 55 yds 1 INT

Brian Robinson: 17 carries for 44 yds
Christian McCaffrey: 6 carries for 21 yds

Jahan Dotson: 4 catches 49 yds 1 TD

[Dec 24, 2022 at 5:19 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

An eight play, 31-yard drive that ended with a Jahan Dotson TD. Commanders punch back. 7-7 with 22 seconds left in the second quarter.