49ers game grades from needed victory over Washington Commanders

The 49ers were heavy favorites heading into Washington D.C. against the Commanders and took care of business, winning 27-10. Niner Noise hands out grades from the contest.

The 49ers had a must-win game against the Washington Commanders in order to solidify their position for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They were two-touchdown favorites, and although both teams were dealing with injuries, the 49ers were better equipped to handle their departure.

The game started off slowly, with the 49ers struggling to punch in the ball for touchdowns and the Commanders struggling to get their offense going. But a Deebo Samuel touchdown put the 49ers up 10-0 before the Commanders answered with 10 points of their own. Another defensive stand by the Commanders to end the half left the 49ers up only 13-10, and it felt as though Washington was able to find something against the Niners.

The second half though allowed the 49ers to pull away. After a quick 3-and-out forced against the Washington offense, the 49ers took a 7-minute drive to score a touchdown. Washington threatened to answer, but a red-zone interception by CB Mooney Ward and the ensuing 95-yard touchdown drive salted the 27-10 victory. A few moments after the final horn sounded, the Cardinals pulled off the shocking upset over the Philadephia Eagles, giving the 49ers the 1-seed in the NFC.

It was a tale of two halves for the 49ers, but they did what they needed to do to get the win and secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Here's the grades from the contest.