What we learned as Purdy, Aiyuk power 49ers’ crucial win vs. Commanders

BOX SCORE LANDOVER, Md. — The 49ers allowed the lowly Washington Commanders to hang around for a while Sunday before finally slamming the door in the second half and, in the process, claiming the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed. It wasn't a dominating performance, but the 49ers made enough plays at key times en route to a crucial 27-10 victory on New Year's Eve at FedExField. Cornerback Charvarius Ward supplied one of the big plays when he picked off Washington quarterback Sam Howell's pass at the San Francisco 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter to enable the 49ers to maintain a comfortable lead. The 49ers then drove the length of the field to put the game away on a Brandon Aiyuk touchdown catch. The 49ers improved to 12-4 and, with the Philadelphia Eagles' stunning loss to the Arizona Cardinals completed just minutes afterward, will be the NFC's top seed, with the accompanying playoff bye week. Here are three takeaways from the 49ers' Week 17 win over the now-4-12 Commanders: Purdy's bounce-back game It wasn't a spectacular showing for Brock Purdy, but it was a heck of a lot better than the last time he took the field. The quarterback had a game more in line with what he has done...