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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When Brock Purdy stepped in as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, his early success was initially seen as a shock.
Now that the final decide on this 12 months’s draft has stored up that degree of play for 3 straight begins, it’s changing into anticipated.
Purdy joined some illustrious firm together with his third straight successful begin with two landing passes, main the 49ers to their eighth straight win in a 37-20 victory over Washington on Saturday.
Purdy’s play has ensured that the surging Niners (11-4) have proven no indicators of slowing down after turning the offense over to their third-string quarterback.
San Francisco is assured of at the very least the No. 3 seed within the NFC playoffs and nonetheless have an opportunity to maneuver up if Minnesota and Philadelphia falter down the stretch.
“At this level, we all know who precisely who he’s,” receiver Brandon Aiyuk stated about Purdy. “No person’s stunned anymore. We all know who Brock Purdy is. He got here out, performed an important recreation, managed the offense, managed the huddle, managed the sport.”
Purdy’s speedy ascent from an unknown Mr. Irrelevant to a key part to one of many NFC’s prime contenders has been spectacular.
He threw two TD passes in a aid effort of a Week 13 win in opposition to Miami after which has received his first three begins, throwing two landing passes in every recreation.
He joined Corridor of Famer Kurt Warner as the one QBs since 1950 to win their first three begins, whereas at the very least two TD passes every recreation.
“I nonetheless have that very same fireplace and drive as earlier than I wasn’t taking part in,” Purdy stated. “I wish to go in and I wish to show to my teammates and earn the respect each play, each snap, each drive, that sort of mentality. So, I simply bought to remind myself to not lose that zeal and that fireside and that it’s by no means simple.”
Purdy has made it look simple, making the most of an offense that options a number of star playmakers and an elite play-caller in coach Kyle Shanahan.
Whereas Purdy’s largest duty is to get the ball into the palms of gamers comparable to Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, he has additionally proven a capability to stretch the sphere.
He threw his third TD pass that traveled at least 25 yards downfield on Saturday to Kittle, one shy of the overall quantity of these TDs the Niners had as a crew since 2020.
WHAT’S WORKING
Purdy to Kittle connection. Purdy has related with Kittle for two touchdown passes in back-to-back video games. Kittle has 10 catches for 213 yards and 4 TDs the previous two weeks, giving him a career-high eight TD receptions on the season. Kittle is the primary Niners tight finish for the reason that merger with back-to-back video games with a number of TD catches. The final participant to do it for San Francisco earlier than Kittle was receiver Terrell Owens in 2002.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Crimson zone offense. San Francisco bought contained in the 20 5 occasions Saturday and turned these journeys into just one landing. They bought stopped on fourth down from the 15 on opening drive and settled for 3 subject targets within the second half, together with on drives that began on the Washington 11 and 25 following turnovers.
“Any time you get the ball that a lot within the crimson zone and solely have one landing to point out for it, that was disappointing,” Shanahan stated.
STOCK UP
DE Nick Bosa had two extra sacks and a forced fumble to burnish his candidacy for Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Bosa leads the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks and is 2 shy of Aldon Smith’s franchise document set in 2012. Bosa is the fourth participant since sacks grew to become an official stat in 1982 to have at the very least one in 12 video games in a season.
STOCK DOWN
CB Samuel Womack. The rookie was compelled into motion when Charvarius Ward left briefly within the second half and was instantly picked on by Washington. Womack was overwhelmed by Terry McLaurin for a 51-yard catch within the third quarter that arrange a TD for the Commanders.
INJURIES
Garoppolo bought the solid off his damaged foot and is in a strolling boot, however there are not any additional updates. … WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) is making progress and would possibly have the ability to observe later this week. … DL Kerry Hyder (ankle) is anticipated to return to observe this week. … RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) is making progress and will return to observe both late this week or early subsequent week.
KEY NUMBERS
139.7 — That’s Purdy’s passer score on throws of at the very least 10 yards downfield since changing Garoppolo. He’s 21 for 29 for 476 yards, 5 TDs and one INT on these throws.
WHAT’S NEXT
San Francisco visits Las Vegas on Sunday.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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