Commanders Divided By Two Halves in Loss vs. 49ers

After playing competitive football in the first half of Week 17, the Washington Commanders found themselves on the wrong end of a beatdown in the second.

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Commanders fell 27-10 to the San Francisco 49ers and at first blush, those who didn't watch the game might think the winners controlled the game throughout. 

The truth, however, is that the Commanders went into halftime down just three points after closing a 10-0 gap before the 49ers added a late field goal to take a 13-10 lead into the break.

Unfortunately that halftime margin was stretched to 17 by the end of it as quarterback Sam Howell and the offense failed to get anything going while the defense tried to keep Washington in it for as long as possible.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at FedExField / Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

"Just didn't make enough plays in the second half and turned the ball over too much," Howell said after the game. "Did some good things in the first half...just didn't make the plays we needed to in the second half."

Howell completed 9 of 13 pass attempts in the first half gaining 100 yards in the process and throwing one touchdown to receiver Terry McLaurin.

In the second half, he completed 8 of 15 and gained just 69 yards while throwing two interceptions.

That's just a snapshot of the offense's second-half struggles which resulted in two three-and-out possessions, the two turnovers, and another turnover on downs at the end of the game. 

For Howell, specifically this loss is his fourth straight where he failed to throw for even 150 yards after gaining no less than 151 in a single game before this stretch.

Coach Ron Rivera emphasized the need to act like professionals in the next week as the Commanders prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys for one last game before the curtain falls on their 2023 NFL Season.

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In that game, the Cowboys will likely have plenty to play for with the NFC East Division title possibly on the line.

For Washington, like Rivera said, it'll be one more chance to play for pride and leave the year with a small dose of the good vibes it started with.

Meanwhile, Commanders fans will be hoping for a Dallas win...just another sign of what this year has turned into.