The Washington Commanders left Santa Clara with another frustrating defeat, but Stefon Diggs believes their season is far from finished. After Monday night’s 23-17 loss to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, the veteran wide receiver pointed to the NFC East race and Washington’s late comeback as reasons to remain hopeful.
Washington fell to 1-4-1 on Oct. 19, extending its winless stretch to 3 games. However, the Commanders erased much of a 20-point deficit and had an opportunity to make the final possession count before San Francisco secured the victory.
For Diggs, the message was clear: Washington needs to turn competitive performances into wins. The team’s record leaves little room for complacency, but he believes the division remains within reach if the Commanders can execute more consistently.
Diggs sees an opportunity in the NFC East
Speaking after the defeat, Diggs described the division race as still open. His optimism comes despite Washington’s difficult start, with the team having struggled to finish close games and build momentum.
“It’s still wide open,” Diggs said, according to NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk, reflecting his belief that the Commanders remain in contention. He also acknowledged that Washington could have played better against San Francisco.
The receiver’s argument is not that the loss was acceptable. Rather, he sees a chance for improvement in a season when the division has not produced a clear runaway leader, leaving Washington with an opportunity to respond.
A late comeback offered a reason for hope
The Commanders trailed 20-3 at halftime and fell further behind when San Francisco added a third-quarter field goal. Washington then began to find openings, scoring 14 unanswered points to make the finish competitive.
Diggs contributed to the rally with a 1-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jayden Daniels late in the third quarter. The score brought Washington closer and gave the offense a tangible reward for its second-half push.
Rachaad White added a 9-yard touchdown catch from Daniels in the fourth quarter, cutting the margin to 23-17. Washington could not complete the comeback, but the response demonstrated that the offense could challenge a strong opponent after a difficult opening half.
Daniels delivered production despite the defeat
Daniels finished with 300 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 29 of 40 attempts without throwing an interception. His numbers reflected a productive passing performance, particularly as Washington attempted to recover from its early deficit.
However, the Commanders’ offense struggled to balance the passing game with an effective ground attack. Washington recorded only 53 rushing yards, limiting its ability to sustain a varied offensive approach against San Francisco.
The final possession presented another opportunity to change the result. Washington reached a critical late-game situation, but the drive ended without a touchdown, underscoring the difference between mounting a comeback and completing one.
Diggs made his return count
Diggs finished the game with 6 receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown, according to NFL statistics. His scoring catch was particularly important because it helped launch Washington’s second-half response.
The veteran receiver had returned to practice during the week after missing the previous game with a hamstring injury. His availability gave Daniels another experienced target as Washington prepared to face San Francisco’s undefeated team.
Although his yardage total was modest, Diggs played a direct role in the comeback. His touchdown helped keep Washington in the contest, reinforcing why the Commanders will want their veteran receiving options available as the season continues.
San Francisco exposed Washington’s early problems
The 49ers controlled much of the first half, building a 20-3 advantage before the break. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 264 yards and a touchdown, while Christian McCaffrey scored twice on the ground.
San Francisco also established a stronger rushing presence, finishing with 126 yards compared with Washington’s 53. That difference helped the 49ers manage the game and put the Commanders under pressure to chase points.
Washington’s defense improved after halftime, limiting San Francisco’s scoring opportunities. Yet the recovery came after the early deficit had already placed the Commanders in a difficult position, making their late offensive push insufficient.
The Commanders must finish close games
The defeat continued a troubling pattern for Washington: staying within reach of opponents without consistently making the decisive plays needed to win. Diggs acknowledged that the team had been in games recently but needed to find ways to close them out.
That challenge involves more than one player or unit. Washington needs better starts, a more dependable rushing attack and cleaner execution in high-pressure moments if it wants to turn narrow defeats into victories.
The second-half response against San Francisco offers a starting point, not a solution. The Commanders showed resilience, but the next step is sustaining that level of play across all four quarters.
The bye week gives Washington time to regroup
Washington enters its Week 7 bye following a 23-17 loss to San Francisco, giving the team an opportunity to evaluate its performance, address recurring problems and prepare for the next stage of the season.
The Commanders face a significant challenge after wide receiver Terry McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon against the 49ers. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on October 20 that McLaurin would miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Washington will need greater contributions from Stefon Diggs and its other receiving options to compensate for the loss.
Diggs’ optimism will carry weight only if the Commanders convert it into better results. Washington’s second-half comeback against San Francisco provided encouragement, but the team must deliver more consistent performances when it returns from its bye to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.
Fun fact: Beyond football, Stefon Diggs founded LIEM, a luxury fashion house, in 2022, turning his passion for clothing and creative design into a business.
TL;DR
- The Commanders lost 23-17 to the undefeated 49ers on Oct. 19, falling to 1-4-1.
- Stefon Diggs said the NFC East race remains open despite Washington’s difficult start.
- Diggs recorded 6 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
- Jayden Daniels threw for 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Washington’s late rally fell short.
- Washington enters its Week 7 bye needing stronger starts and better execution in close games.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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