In a showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy aimed to prove a point. Reflecting on the NFC divisional-round playoff game between the teams in January, Purdy noticed room for improvement in his performance, even though he led the 49ers to victory. He approached fullback Kyle Juszczyk before the game, expressing his desire to shine against a top-ranked opponent.
Purdy’s mission was undeniably accomplished. He orchestrated an impressive 42-10 victory, going 17-of-24 for 252 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 144.2 before being substituted in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Purdy’s poise and efficiency, highlighting his ability to manage the game and avoid turnovers. Purdy’s performance was a testament to his growth and composure since that playoff game in January.
Shanahan was confident in Purdy’s potential to shine in the game, leading him to call numerous plays to challenge the Cowboys’ defense, even unveiling a flea-flicker play that resulted in a touchdown pass to tight end George Kittle.
Purdy’s remarkable performance made him only the fourth 49ers quarterback, joining legends like Jim Plunkett, Joe Montana, and Jeff Garcia, to throw four touchdowns in a game against the Cowboys.
Despite his consistent success, Purdy still faces skepticism from some quarters, with critics attributing his achievements to the team’s system and talent rather than recognizing his individual prowess. Teammates and supporters hope that Purdy’s stellar performances, like the one against the Cowboys, will garner him the respect he deserves.
Purdy’s impressive season statistics include nine passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. This ranks him second in 49ers history for the most passing touchdowns before throwing an interception in a season, behind only Steve Young.
Furthermore, Purdy has been instrumental in leading the 49ers to ten consecutive regular-season wins, tying him with Mike Tomczak and Mike Livingston for the second-most consecutive regular-season wins by a starting quarterback at the beginning of his career.
Despite the accolades, Purdy remains unfazed by the attention and continues to focus on improving his game. He acknowledged the difficulties faced during the playoff game last year and used it as motivation to excel in the recent showdown against the Cowboys.
As of the latest game, Purdy ranks at or near the top of the league in multiple major categories, showcasing his exceptional talent and value to the 49ers.
The 49ers are on a remarkable 15-game winning streak, never losing when Purdy starts and completes the game in the regular season or playoffs. Purdy’s performance has ignited conversations about his MVP candidacy, with teammates recognizing his impact and consistency on the field.
In the words of safety Tashaun Gipson, “Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level.” He praised Purdy’s ball security and playmaking abilities, highlighting his consistent excellence. With Christian McCaffrey also making a strong case for MVP, the 49ers are fortunate to have two players performing at such a high level on offense.
