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The San Francisco 49ers flexed their muscles on national TV in a 23-17 Monday Night Football win over Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders that included a huge game-ending sack by rookie Romello Height on Jayden Daniels. Quarterback Brock Purdy made NFL history in the first quarter of the game as he finally got his due as one of the league’s best passers in recent memory.
Week 7 will bring a road matchup against Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons, who lost to the Chicago Bears in a close Week 6 matchup, and another chance for coach Kyle Shanahan’s team to press forward to a potential undefeated season. If San Francisco can win out, it would represent the first undefeated season since Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins went 14-0 in 1972 before winning the Super Bowl and finishing 17-0.
The 49ers have a chance, but aren’t likely to do it this season — here’s why.
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49ers’ schedule looks daunting
Week 7 brings a road game against an Atlanta Falcons team brimming with talent that hasn’t quite gotten over the hump this season. Playing against a veteran 49ers team will bring out the best in Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson, Drake London and the rest of the Falcons’ young stars after a series of prime time disappointments for Kevin Stefanski’s team.
Week 8 brings a breather against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it also could be a trap game if the 49ers’ injury woes continue (they lost key wideout Mike Evans to an Achilles issue against Washington).
A road game against the Cowboys is tougher than it looks on paper as one of the NFL’s marquee rivalry games, and will be followed with a game against the Vikings at Levi’s Stadium. Nov. 29’s home game against the Seahawks also looks tough, particularly if Mike Macdonald’s team gets its act together in the running game by then.
The 49ers’ schedule isn’t the toughest in the league, but it is about to ramp up with games that should be emotional and packed with intensity.
Evans loss is a big one
The veteran, hard-bodied veteran receiver Evans’ Achilles issue is a big one to watch going forward as the 49ers have already suffered injuries up and down their receiving corps, including to Deebo Samuel.
Evans’ rapport with Purdy has been well-established, but he is starting to become extremely banged-up heading into Week 7 action after previously dealing with “stabbing pain” in his ribs.
Samuel was ruled out of the Commanders game and has a hamstring injury that could linger. Purdy found George Kittle for a big early game touchdown in Week 6, and Christian McCaffrey chipped in in the passing game. It was enough to win against a Commanders team also dealing with injuries, but the 49ers remain vulnerable going forward toward Week 7.
Running game questions
The 49ers’ running game looked strong against the Commanders but there are still question marks about a group that needs to avoid the injury bug.
If the 49ers don’t get Evans or Samuel back soon, teams will pick up on San Francisco’s game plan and start to key in on the running game, which could make life difficult for McCaffrey and company. The return of fullback Kyle Juszczyk was a welcome one against the Commanders. He must stay healthy if San Francisco has any hope of sniffing an undefeated season, as he brings toughness and dependable blocking and receiving to the game.
San Francisco is a talented team, but injuries are starting to catch up to them as they look toward games against NFL upstarts with a lot of young talent and a lot to prove.
Purdy has been crisp, surgical and dependable at quarterback, but the 49ers still have many pitfalls to cross over before the end of the season, and are likely to get tripped before they hit 17-0, or even 14-0.
Related: 49ers WR Mike Evans’ Achilles injury gets huge update after MNF win vs. Commanders
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