THE APEX TIMES
Between the 49ers and Commanders: The shared players and moments that frame Monday’s rivalry
San Francisco and Washington meet at Levi’s Stadium on Monday Night Football, with a long head-to-head history that includes franchise-defining plays and players who have worn both uniforms.
Monday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium on October 19 brings the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders together, and the matchup carries a lot more context than just a recent schedule spot.
The 49ers own the all-time series, leading 23-12-1, and the teams have played each other repeatedly on national stages and in meaningful postseason moments, according to the teams’ history recap from.
A recurring throughline in the series is player overlap. Left tackle Trent Williams was drafted by Washington in 2010, earned seven Pro Bowl selections during nine seasons with the franchise, then was traded to San Francisco in 2020 and added five more Pro Bowls, for 12 total career selections.
The same two-franchise connection also shows up in other well-known names cited by. Deebo Samuel Sr. spent the 2025 season with Washington before returning to San Francisco, and other players to suit up for both teams include quarterback Alex Smith, cornerback Deion Sanders, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
One of the most memorable historical meetings highlighted in the matchup preview came in the 1990 NFC Divisional Round on January 12, 1991. San Francisco scored three first-half touchdowns, then sealed a 28-10 win when a tipped pass led to a Charles Haley deflection and a 61-yard pick-six by nose tackle Michael Carter in the fourth quarter.
The most recent head-to-head meeting referenced by also featured a season-altering performance. On New Year’s Eve 2023 in Week 17 at FedEx Field, now Northwest Stadium, quarterback Brock Purdy completed 22 of 28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns as San Francisco won 27-10, a day also noted for Purdy surpassing Jeff Garcia’s single-season franchise passing-yard record. The 49ers went on to win the NFC Championship and reach Super Bowl LVIII.
For Monday’s game, kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. PT, with Washington entering at 1-3-1 and San Francisco described as one of three NFL teams still undefeated after five weeks.
Why It Matters
- A series record and Monday-night edge offer a long-run backdrop for how the franchises have performed when national audiences tune in.
- Player connections across eras, led by Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel Sr., add personal matchup stakes beyond scheme and standings.
- The highlighted postseason swing in the 1991 divisional round illustrates why this pairing has produced high-leverage plays, not just regular-season meetings.
- Recent history featuring Brock Purdy and the 2023 win ties the rivalry to the team’s deeper postseason trajectory.
Key Facts
- San Francisco hosts Washington on Monday Night Football on October 19 at Levi’s Stadium, with kickoff listed for 5:15 p.m. PT.
- The 49ers lead the all-time series 23-12-1 and are 4-1 against Washington on Monday nights.
- Trent Williams was drafted by Washington in 2010, spent nine seasons there with seven Pro Bowl selections, then was traded to San Francisco in 2020 and added five more Pro Bowls.
- Deebo Samuel Sr. spent 2025 with Washington before returning to the 49ers; other cited two-team players include Alex Smith, Deion Sanders, and Javon Kinlaw.
- In the 1990 NFC Divisional Round, San Francisco built a 21-10 halftime lead and won 28-10, capped by a tipped-pass sequence that produced a Michael Carter 61-yard pick-six.
- In Week 17 of 2023, Brock Purdy’s 22-of-28, 230-yard, two-touchdown performance helped drive a 27-10 49ers win over Washington, and the recap notes Purdy surpassed Jeff Garcia’s single-season passing-yard franchise record.