49ers vs. Commanders GAMEDAY Preview: Chase Young Returns After Trade

Chase Young and the San Francisco 49ers visit the Washington Commanders this afternoon for the penultimate game of the season.

The Washington Commanders close out 2023 with a game at home against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The NFC matchup is highlighted by two teams headed in different directions.

The Niners are playing for a chance at the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, currently sitting in a three-way tie (with Eagles, Lions) for the best record in the NFC. While the Commanders are already eliminated from playoffs with an eye on the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Both teams are fresh off of losses. On Christmas Day, the Baltimore Ravens handled San Francisco in what many believed to be a Super Bowl preview. Washington suffered its sixth-straight loss on Christmas eve, a close defeat to the hands of the New York Jets. 

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Washington's defense looks to get after quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw four interceptions against the Ravens. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne have combined for 9.5 sacks, 58 tackles and 30 total quarterback hits this season.

Sunday will serve as Chase Young's first game against his former team. Young, a Maryland native, was drafted by Washington in 2020 and traded to San Francisco back in Week 9 of this season .

"It's going to be fun," Young said. "They're a team that is going to fight to the end, I do know that. We just have to come out well."

Trade Idea: Jets Deal Wilson for Commanders' Howell

RECORDS: Washington Commanders (4-11) vs. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)

ODDS: Washington is a 13.5-point underdog vs. the Niners

GAME TIME: Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Fed Ex Field - North Englewood, MD

TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The Fan

THE FINAL WORD: 

“Still processing it right now, obviously," Brissett said on being named the starter. "But that's how this league works, man. You got to go out there and just got to get ready to prepare to win a game.”