The Brock Purdy detractors were congratulating themselves until the final minutes of Saturday’s Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. Until then, Purdy and the offence had battled to find a rhythm in what turned out to be a closer-than-expected matchup between the NFC’s top and seventh seeds.
Purdy contributed to a game-winning 13-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey. Purdy completed six of his seven throw attempts on that final drive, demonstrating his playmaking abilities with a crucial third-down completion to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and a nine-yard run that set up McCaffrey’s touchdown.
Purdy ended the game 23 of 39 for 252 yards and one score, demonstrating to detractors that he is capable of late-game heroics.
“He is one of the sole reasons we’re in this position that we are in today,” tackle Trent Williams said in a post-game interview with FOX Sports Radio’s Aaron Torres and Jason Martin. “We are quite confident in him. He’s such a good quarterback, a good kid, and a great teammate.”
The 49ers defeated the Packers 24-21, going to the NFC Championship Game for the third straight season. Trailing 21-17 late in the fourth quarter, Purdy’s teammates shown unflinching trust in the second-year quarterback’s ability to lead a comeback.
“I had zero doubt that he would make the plays that we needed to get us down the field,” he said.
It is not only the offensive players that believe in Purdy’s ability to move the club down the field in critical situations. While defensive end Nick Bosa says it’s difficult to watch from the sidelines and feel powerless when the offence is on the field, he adds, “But I definitely have faith in [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and everybody on our offence to get it done.”
The Niners will host the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium for the first time since 2019. Reflecting on Saturday’s performance against the Packers, Williams recognised the need for improvement down the stretch.
“We obviously got to play better than we did today, but we just got to keep fighting,” Williams told reporters. “Obviously, next week’s game will be significantly more difficult, regardless of who we receive. Whether in Detroit or Tampa, it will be another dogfight. But what more could you desire when you’re attempting to achieve the ultimate goal?
“You’re so much more grateful for it when you earn it, and we had to go earn this one, and I’m sure we’ll have to go earn the next one as well. So the ultimate goal is to get into the big dance, and we have another chance to do so.”
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