49ers QB Brock Purdy’s legs ‘the difference between us winning and losing’

Eric Williams

NFC West Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The narrative was that San Francisco 49ers couldn’t come from behind in the Kyle Shanahan era.

But during this season’s playoffs, they’ve dispelled that notion with two big-time comeback wins to advance to the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, one catalyst for San Francisco’s 34-31 victory against the Detroit Lions was the legs of quarterback Brock Purdy, who finished with 48 rushing yards. 

“It’s just amazing because I don’t think too many people know how fast and elusive Brock is until he gets to running,” Deebo Samuel said. “I think I kind of messed up one of his touchdowns trying to get a lead block, and he ran right into me and bounced off. I feel like If I would have made that block, he probably would have scored.” 

According to Next Gen Stats, Purdy converted three first downs on scrambles and completed 3-of-4 passes for 41 yards and three first downs on passes when he scrambled outside the pocket.

The second-year quartervack said getting outside the pocket and using his legs is nothing new.

“My job is to distribute the ball to guys that are open,” he said. “Then if something is not there, especially in this kind of game, you got to find a way.

“I feel like throughout my life I’ve scrambled here and there. Since I’ve been here, I feel like I haven’t done it a whole lot. Obviously tonight, I was just trying to keep the chains moving, keep the ball moving forward and then give our team some momentum and some juice.”

Did Brock Purdy prove he’s a top QB in the NFL?

Purdy will never be mistaken for Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. The Iowa State product finished with just 144 rushing yards during the regular season. Of course, when you have explosive runners like Christian McCaffrey and Samuel, it makes more sense to design plays to get them the ball in space. 

“Sick,” tight end George Kittle said when asked about Purdy scrambling. “Do it more … just don’t get hit….


Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/49ers-qb-brock-purdys-legs-the-difference-between-us-winning-and-losing

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Publish date : 2024-01-29 06:37:07

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