Associated Press

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for two touchdowns, ran for a score, and also had an interception as part of an inconsistent performance against his past -- and possibly -- future mentor Kyle Shanahan's winless San Francisco 49ers in a 26-24 victory Sunday.

The Redskins blew a 17-point lead before barely holding on.

Cousins was hardly at his most accurate in completing 25 of 37 passes for 330 yards against the team he has been linked to for next season because of his connection with Shanahan. The 49ers (0-6) remain unsettled at quarterback: Shanahan benched Brian Hoyer for rookie C.J. Beathard, who threw for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception and nearly led an impressive comeback.

Beathard, a third-round pick out of Iowa and grandson of former Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard, took over for Hoyer with about six and a half minutes left in the first half and the 49ers down 14-0. After Hoyer was 4 of 11 for 34 yards, Beathard went 19 of 36 in his first NFL action.

With the 49ers down by two in the final minute, Beathard led them toward field goal range. He was intercepted by Kendall Fuller on fourth down to seal the result.

The Redskins (3-2) weren't helped by several injuries on defense. They benefited from playing a 49ers team that is now the first in NFL history to lose five consecutive games by three points or fewer. San Francisco's past five losses have come by a combined 13 points.

Preview

The San Francisco 49ers are one of three winless teams in the NFL going into Week 6. The 49ers can post their first win when they face Washington on Sunday (10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, FOX, DirecTV).

The 49ers (0-5) are winless, along with the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants. They have lost two games in overtime after staging a rally in the fourth quarter. The 49ers have been close in their last four games, losing those games by a combined total of 11 points. Close doesn't cut it in sports, and the continued losing streak could start to wear on the players.

The offense has struggled during the past four games. The 49ers were 4 of 14 on third downs, rushed 22 times for 66 yards and couldn't cross midfield in overtime in the loss to the Colts.

Washington (2-2) lost to Kansas City in Week 4 before having a bye in Week 5. The focus continues to zero in on quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is playing under the franchise tag and a one-year, $23.9 million contract. Cousins has delivered, completing 66 percent of his passes with seven touchdown passes and one interception.

Here's everything you need to know to watch the game, or follow along as we bring you the latest score, live updates, photos and video highlights in the comments section below.

What: San Francisco 49ers vs Washington

When: Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, MD

TV: FOX, DirecTV

Watch online: You can watch the live stream on the NFL's mobile app or DirecTV's NFL app. If the NFL Network is part of your cable package, you can also live stream the game through the NFL app on XBox, Apple TV, or Roku device on your TV.

Local players to watch: San Francisco - DL Arik Armstead (Oregon), DL DeForest Buckner (Oregon), WR Victor Bolden (Oregon State), WR Kendrick Bourne (Milwaukie High School).

Follow along as we bring you live updates and analysis from the game from kickoff through the final whistle in the comments section below. Have thoughts on how the 49ers and Washington are performing? Don't hesitate to jump in on the live updates and chat with us as the game rolls along.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold