San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy wasn’t expected to play this season after being selected with the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but injuries Tri Lance And the Jimmy Garoppolo Purdy was forced into action. In his first NFL start, Purdy had to beat Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Good luck rookie.
If Purdy was intimidated, it wasn’t that he showed it in the first half of Sunday’s game. Purdy led the 49ers on four first half touchdown runs to take a 28-0 lead over the Pirates. Purdy ran into the score on the team’s third drive of the contest and threw a beautiful touchdown pass from the back shoulder to Christian McCaffrey in the next drive.
That play was enough to make Birdie’s dad break down in tears. Purdy’s father was caught wiping away tears in the stands after his son put the 49ers to a 21-0 lead.
It was a poignant moment that highlighted the improbability of Purdy being in the situation. The 49ers committed to starting Lance in 2022. An early injury canceled those plans, but the team wisely stuck with Garoppolo despite trying to make a trade in the offseason.
Garoppolo did his usual work and put up strong numbers while leading the 49ers to victory until he was injured in Week 13. Purdy came in relief of Garoppolo and threw two touchdowns and one interception in win 33-17 Over the Miami Dolphin.
The story should have ended there. Purdy was the final choice for the project, after all. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him fumble against the Bucs.
Instead, Purdy walked out. Before halftime, he drove the 49ers on another touchdown drive, this time Brandon Ayuk for a score of 32 yards.
At halftime, the 49ers had a 28-0 lead over the Buccaneers. It was only the second time in Brady’s career that he had trailed by 28 or more points in the first half.
Even before Birdie’s final touchdown in the half, the entire stadium was chanting his name.
Purdy has yet to play two full games in the NFL, so awarding him the next Brady title is probably premature. But Purdy has shown some ability in his first two NFL games, and he should get plenty of chances to prove if this hot start is for real.
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