SANTA CLARA – Quarterback Brock Purdy has been incredibly successful as the 49ers’ starter, but his most challenging opponent yet is the one the team will host on “Sunday Night Football” at Levi’s Stadium.
Purdy and the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 in the NFC Divisional Round last season, which Purdy said was the toughest game of his NFL career.
“Yeah, honestly, I would say that,” Purdy said Thursday. “They have a really good defense and there were times where the pass rush or my rhythm just felt like something wasn’t right in that game. They did a good job compensating me with a few little things. Sort just rushed a few things and fell like I couldn’t find a good rhythm with it.”
Purdy finished the game with 19 of his 29 attempts for 214 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. The play-caller’s 87.4 rating from this game is the lowest of his career.
“It was obviously a fourth-quarter play,” Purdy recalled of the contest. “It was a physical game. They did a good job up front stopping the run and getting involved in a few passing plays, disrupting the rhythm of some of our concepts and the rhythm of myself when I dropped back.”
Purdy and the 49ers offense only made it into the end zone once in the game – a run by Christian McCaffrey in the final quarter. Up to this point, all drives stalled and former kicker Robbie Gould was responsible for the only points on the board with three successful field goals.
The veteran kicker added another three points with three minutes to play, putting the game out of reach.
Purdy said the team watched film from that game to prepare for the second primetime match of the season on Sunday night. The quarterback believes the 49ers learned a lot from their performance considering some of the personnel changes.
“I think it’s always good to have some experience with the team you’re playing against,” Purdy said. “When it comes to going up against those certain guys, feeling the pass rush and how they defend in the secondary. It’s good that I did it.” We had some of that experience and the boys had that experience in January. Here we are months later and ready to try again.”
Purdy expects a tough, physical competition, but also wants better performance from himself with more experience. He could be his own harshest critic.
“Ultimately, I expect more from myself to take the next step and go through reads and progress,” Purdy said. “Even with a pass rush, it could be a little more aggressive. I’ve been there, but it’s definitely one of my toughest games.”
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