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Thompson: Brock Purdy managed up, down and saved 49ers

NY TIMESBy


SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The most important run of the night might not be Christian McCaffrey’s. Or Deebo Samuel. Or even an epic catch-and-run by George Kittle.

No. Probably the game administrator did it. Brock Purdy was the most capable of seizing momentum, grueling, and taming the Lions’ run as the San Francisco 49ers beat Detroit 34-31 in NFC play on Sunday (Detroit) game, he directed a 17-point comeback. championship.

“I blocked my man and the next thing I heard was screaming,” left guard Aaron Banks said at a postgame party in the 49ers locker room at Levi’s Stadium. “Brock is 20 yards downfield.”

One candidate was Purdy’s 21-yard rush on second-and-11 in the third quarter. He jumped up the middle and opened up his little streak, getting away from Lions defensive back Brian Branch. Two plays after the defense forced a turnover, Purdy set up the 49ers’ first score at Detroit’s 4-yard line. McCaffrey completed the rush for 1 yard, tying the score at 24.

Purdy’s run was emblematic of the 49ers’ aggressive mood. The red zone issue will not be an obstacle this time. Shooting wasn’t an option.

If it weren’t for Samuel, he might have scored on his own.

“He hit me right into me and bounced off,” Samuel said. “I felt like if I could have made that block, he might have scored.”

Another candidate is Purdy’s stunning scramble on the first play of the next game. McCaffrey missed an interception on Detroit Chargers safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. But Purdy ducked for an 8-yard sack on the first play, spun to his left and sprinted down the sideline. He threw a laser shot down the sideline to Kyle Juszczyk for a toe-first tap before being tackled. This was the first time the team broke through and took the lead. This was the first sign that Purdy was in the bag.

The alternative, and perhaps the best option, is his third and fourth downs that helped the 49ers win the game against Kansas City. With less than five minutes left in the game and the 49ers at midfield, Detroit was in dire need of a stop. But Bodie reached into his pocket and took off again. He escaped Lions sack specialist Aidan Hutchinson, broke away from linebacker Jack Campbell and outran linebacker Alex Anzalone. Alex Anzalone), to the edge.

After turning onto the field and into open space, Purdy did not slip. He dived head first into the water. Because he wants every yard. You can’t make money because you’re afraid. Because championships are not won passively.

Purdy is considered by many to be the quintessential game manager. More of a passenger than a driver. Rather than being a benefactor, it is better to say that he is a beneficiary. Not so much a win retrieval, but a loss preventer. The label game manager is largely a pejorative in modern quarterback discourse.

But the 49ers needed more on Sunday. Their season is in jeopardy. Their championship hopes were fading.

Purdy became exactly what they needed: a playmaker, a game-changer. He completed 13 of 16 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown in the second half. No interception. His 49 yards rushing is the best proof that he is not just a passerby in this historic reversal. He is driving.

“I think that’s the difference between winning and losing,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Purdy’s scramble. “He made some big moves with his legs, coming out of the pocket, moving the chains on the first down, some explosive stuff. He raced as hard as he could today. It’s not easy for any of us. He continues to grind. . His performance in the second half was unbelievable.”

In the NFC Divisional Round, Purdy overcame difficulties on a late drive to lead the 49ers to victory. He improved on himself for the NFC title, leading San Francisco by 17 points.

He scored 27 points on five consecutive drives to turn the tide for the Lions.

“When I was down 17 at halftime,” Purdy said, “to be honest, I was thinking, ‘Okay, God. You brought me here. Win or lose, I’m going to honor you.’ This is mine.” Safety. This is happiness. This is firmness. That’s where I got it. This is the honest truth. “

Detroit was largely responsible for its own demise. Drop passes. Pass field goals to support pride and mode. Purdy made sure that all their misdeeds were punished.

That’s enough to add some substance to the debate about Purdy. At least give his critics pause. At least recognize that his ceiling may be higher than his aura. He may not be at the level of potential MVP Lamar Jackson or the talented Josh Allen. Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert are the more coveted talents.

But Purdy wasn’t home.

Brock Purdy


On Sunday, Brock Purdy used his legs and arm to do just that, with a crucial 49-yard rush in the second half to help the 49ers overturn the Lions. (Ciaran Henderson/Getty Images)

“I don’t have a lot of good things to say about Bullock,” McCaffrey said. “Since he’s been here, all he’s done is play at an elite level. And it all starts with him. We’re lucky that he’s our quarterback. He’s taken a lot of heat for no reason. What he’s done It’s all about being a great leader and a great player.”

Purdy doesn’t have big arms. Or red-hot athleticism. His inexperience showed at times. His accuracy can throw him off. He’s thrown enough interceptions to make you believe he must be doing something right with his life. He put up some eye-popping numbers that got his name into the MVP conversation, but he also had moments where the idea of ​​him winning the league’s top honor became a little ridiculous.

All of that was evident in the first half on Sunday. This is Purdy’s version, easily open to doubt and easy to laugh at when brought up to elites. He completed just 47 percent of his passes through the first two quarters, including an interception that led to a touchdown for Detroit, and also missed several other passes. The 49ers had a strong offense but weak defense, scoring only 7 points in the first half.

People all over the Bay Area asked to speak to the manager.

Just then, Pudi appeared. This young man has a healthy smile, responsibly dressed and a humble attitude that is always at your service.

“My faith has never wavered,” 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. said of his quarterback. “I’ve been saying this all year. You have a guy like that who can control the game and knows where to go and when to take the ball. I’m glad he’s on my team. I’ll tell you all. I Never worried. When Purdy needs to score, that’s when he’s at his best.”

What helped the 49ers get over the hump was Purdy’s immeasurable strength. Gunslinger mentality. A major mid-term decision. Mr. Irrelevant on his shoulders. The little guy is very resilient.

Like that heartbreaking pass from Jauan Jennings on third and fourth drives with the 49ers trailing by 17 points. Purdy scrambled to a stop near the line of scrimmage and passed the ball up the middle. It’s more like an alley-oop, with Jennings needing to use his 6-foot-3 frame and 6-foot-4 wingspan to catch the ball with one hand and keep driving. This is Patrick Mohomesian.

But most importantly, heart. Purdy is not afraid of pressure. He looked flustered at times, but not enough to get him into trouble. On Sunday, his desire to win took over.

The performance of this game, his deep attack on Brendan Aiyuk, was the antithesis of the match manager. The 49ers scored two touchdowns and the defense committed huge turnovers on offense, and Purdy wasn’t looking to play it safe.

He was trying to put on a show. He sensed they needed something big, so he went for it.

“In that moment,” Purdy said, “I looked at it like we needed a play. I’m not going to stupidly throw the ball away. But BA is one-on-one. I’m going to take that opportunity. Especially It’s in this kind of game. We need games like this. So people can say what they want, but I gave my guy a chance.”

The Lions had a safety hovering in the middle of the field. When Samuel cut corners, the safety followed him. That leaves Aiyuk one-on-one with Detroit cornerback Jindel Wildor.

“I saw it live,” Samuel said. “I saw the guy cut off a high cross I was running on, and I looked up and Brock cut it off.”

Purdy is here, not Jimmy Garoppolo, because the 49ers can’t win a Super Bowl without a quarterback capable and willing to play the deep ball. Despite Garoppolo’s success, he’s been hesitant to throw downfield, and even Shanahan’s hesitance to call for longer throws has put a ceiling on the 49ers’ offense. . They drafted Trey Lance hoping to be more dynamic.

They ultimately settled on Purdy, who can scramble and push the ball downfield.

The 49ers lost the last time they made it to the Super Bowl because they couldn’t score in the fourth quarter. While Patrick Mahomes was establishing himself as a legend, the 49ers offense was stymied by Garoppolo’s predictable slant passes and pocket restrictions.

Purdy also might not be able to beat Mahomes. But it’s not impossible. It was said that he could not come from behind, but he did. Some said he couldn’t lead the team, but he did. Some say he’s not the reason the 49ers win, but he is. Indeed, he is surrounded by talent. He may be surpassed. He may fall short. But Sunday’s game was even more proof of his gaming talent. He can handle it. He can handle it.

Purdy wasn’t afraid. Don’t run, throw, or break the defense.

His pass to Aiyuk was a little too deep — or pass interference might have prevented Aiyuk from catching the ball — and Wildor had an interception opportunity. His job is to stay on top of the receiver, and he does that. But the pass bounced off his helmet and into the arms of Aiyuk.

lucky? Absolutely. But fate favors the brave.

“I watched the replay,” Kittle said, “and I was like, ‘This is what we want it to be like. Take that guy’s mask off and it’s Bataan. Bullock is good at football, isn’t he?”

If he’s a game manager, he’s got to be Premium.

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49ers win NFC Championship Game and justify an entire era

(Best photo of Brock Purdy celebrating a touchdown in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)





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