Turnovers returned for scores key defeat THE SCORE
The San Francisco 49ers lost Sunday for the fifth time in six games, the simplest signal that they’re reign as NFC champions is coming to an injury-riddled end.
Washington scored touchdowns directly off two Nick Mullens turnovers and held on to down the 49ers 23-15 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., where the 49ers relocated this month because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Three games remain for the last- place 49ers (5- 8), starting next Sunday at Dallas before likely playing their final two games back in Arizona against the Cardinals on Dec. 26 and the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 3.
For the second time in as many “home” games at Arizona, a 7- 0, first- quarter lead was fool’s gold, just as it was in Monday night’s 34-24 loss to Buffalo.
The 49ers continued their season-long theme and saw two of their top players exit early with injuries: wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) got hurt after a 9-yard run on the game’s first snap, and linebacker Fred Warner (neck/shoulder nerve stinger) left two snaps after halftime.
Alex Smith got credited with his fourth straight win as Washington’s starter, but the former 49ers quarterback left just before halftime with a calf injury to his surgically repaired right leg. Washington (6-7) leads the NFC East.
Here are all the highs, lows and everything else you need to know: SCOOP-AND-SCORE » The 49ers lost their first-half lead in horrendous fashion, when a stripsack of Mullens produced Chase Young’s 47-yard fumble recovery for Washington’s go-ahead touchdown 58 seconds before halftime.
Linebacker Jon Bostick’s blitz against center Daniel Brunskill forced Mullens to slide out of the pocket. Mullens held the ball low as Payne peeled off Mike McGlinchey’s block, and Payne slapped it free to set up the scoopand- score by Young, this year’s No. 2 overall draft pick.
WASHINGTON 23, 49ERS 15 Up next: 49ers at Cowboys When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
TV: CBS
Young became the first player in Washington franchise history with a fumble return for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a sack, and he’s just the eighth player in the NFL since 1982 with that hat trick. MORE MULLENS’ MISERY » Washington’s five-man rush came at Mullens when he threw toward the right sideline, toward where Kyle Juszczyk was before heading up field, toward Kamren Curl, who made the interception and returned it 76 yards for a 23-7 lead.
Mullens was allowed to stay in the game, but C. J. Beathard began warming up on the sideline, and it’s worth wondering which will get the start next Sunday at Dallas.
On that interceptionfollowing drive, Mullens threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk and
a two-point conversion to Kendrick Bourne, cutting their deficit to 23-15. Mullens finished 24- of- 45 for 256 yards and a 70.2 passer rating.
DEEBO DONE FAST » The 49ers lost Samuel to a left hamstring injury after a 9-yard run on the first snap. That aggravated an Oct. 25 strain that kept him out three games. Samuel had
206 receiving yards over the past two games combined, but he was held out of the past two Wednesday practices, first for a sore hamstring and this past week for a foot contusion.
Warner, the 49ers’ top defender this season, was evaluated for a head injury in the first series after halftime. He did not return and finished with five tack
les, pushing his season total to 96.
Left tackle Trent Williams ( leg) and running back Raheem Mostert ( head) returned to action before halftime after getting medical clearance.
Mostert was evaluated for a potential head injury after a 6-yard run to open the second quarter. Williams hobbled off with an apparent right leg injury. Williams’ left leg slid on the natural grass and his right leg appeared to buckle under him, but he returned for the 49ers’ next series.
On the one play Williams missed immediately after his injury, his replacement, Justin Skule, gave up a delayed sack to Chase Young on third-and-2 as Mullens held the ball too long. ALEX SMITH WATCH » Smith, in the midst of one of sports’ greatest comebacks, had a lackluster game going (8- of-19, 57 yards, one interception) before his surgically repaired right leg acted up on him.