San Francisco 49ers vs Washington Commanders Box Score on Oct 15, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 15, 2017

LANDOVER, Md. -- Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Washington Redskins defeated the San Francisco 49ers 26-24 Sunday at FedEx Field.

After squandering all of a 17-0 lead, the Redskins scored nine fourth-quarter points on a field goal and a 7-yard run by Cousins with 3:34 remaining.

Trailing 26-17, the 49ers answered on a 45-yard touchdown pass from rookie C.J. Beathard to wide receiver Aldrick Robinson with 1:58 left, but Washington recovered the onside kick.

The 49ers got the ball back with 52 seconds left, but Beathard's fourth-and-20 pass from midfield was intercepted with three seconds remaining and the 49ers had their fifth straight loss by three points or less.

Washington (3-2) travels to Philadelphia a week from Monday to play the first-place Eagles (5-1), while the 49ers are 0-6 for the first time since 1979 in Bill Walsh's first season as head coach.

Cousins finished 25 of 37 for 330 yards and one interception. Running back Chris Thompson, starting in place of the injured Rob Kelley, gained only 33 yards on 16 carries, but had 105 yards on four receptions.

San Francisco quarterback Brian Hoyer was benched in the second quarter after completing 4 of 11 passes for 34 yards. Beathard came on to rally the 49ers and finished 19 of 36 for 245 yards, one touchdown, and the interception.

Running back Carlos Hyde had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs for San Francisco.

Robbie Gould's 52-yard field goal early in the third quarter pulled the 49ers within 17-10.

After a Redskins punt, Matt Ioannidis sacked Beathard for an 8-yard loss on third-and-5 and Gould missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt.

On the next play from scrimmage, however, Cousins' pass to tight end Vernon Davis was complete, but as Davis struggled for additional yardage, the ball popped out. Safety Jimmie Ward picked it up and ran 43 yards to the 1. Hyde scored on the next play and the 49ers had tied the score.

Washington responded with a 16-play drive that stalled inside the 5 before Dustin Hopkins' 21-yard field goal put the Redskins back in front 20-17 with 10:34 left.

On their next possession, the Redskins drove 84 yards in nine plays, with Cousins running for a score before Hopkins missed the extra point.

Washington took the game's opening kickoff and drove 75 yards for a touchdown. Cousins was 4 of 4 for 57 yards on the drive, including a 23-yard screen pass to Thompson and 11-yard strike to wide receiver Josh Doctson for the score.

The 49ers have been outscored 37-13 in the first quarter this season.

Late in the first quarter, the Redskins took over on their 36 and 10 plays later were in the end zone. On third-and-1 from the 3, Cousins faked the handoff to Samaje Perine then passed to the rookie running back in the flat and Perine scored his first NFL touchdown. Tight end Jordan Reed caught three passes for 33 yards during the drive.

With Washington leading 17-0 and under two minutes remaining, Beathard completed passes of 20, 30 and 12 yards to get San Francisco across midfield for the first time and down to the Redskins 13. Seven snaps later -- on the last play of the half -- Hyde scored from 1 yard out.

NOTES: Washington T Trent Williams (knee) was questionable during the week, but started. Redskins starters CB Josh Norman (rib), RB Rob Kelley (ankle) and S DeShazor Everett (hamstring) were out. ... 49ers LB Reuben Foster (ankle) missed his fifth game. LB Brock Coyle started in place of the recently released NaVorro Bowman. S Eric Reid was active for the first time since Week 2. ... 49ers rookie QB C.J. Beathard is the grandson of former Redskins GM Bobby Beathard. ... Washington has scored an opening-drive touchdown in three straight games for the first time since Weeks 13-15 in 2004. ... Seven 49ers knelt during the national anthem. All of the Redskins stood. ... The Redskins snapped a four-game losing streak against the 49ers.