SANTA CLARA – Brock Purdy wasn't as precise as usual in the 49ers' 24-21 victory in the NFC divisional playoff round on Saturday at Levi's Stadium.
After two quarters, the quarterback had completed just 10 of his 16 passes for 125 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to tight end George Kittle. After the game, Purdy explained how the weather and wearing a glove on his throwing hand may have affected his accuracy.
“Obviously I put the glove on early for the first drive,” Purdy said. “It came down and then it splattered, so I took it off. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do and I was kind of tired of the glove so I just threw like I normally do.”
Rain continued to fall throughout the game, affecting Purdy's performance even after he figured out what glove situation he was in.
“There were times where I fell backwards and the ball was wet off the turf and affected the accuracy and stuff like that, but that’s football,” Purdy said. “I need to get better in this area.”
At the end of the night, Purdy completed 23 of his 39 attempts for 252 yards, a touchdown and an 86.7 passer rating. Was the problem with his inability to find a rhythm with his offense until the final drive due to rest, rust, or the glove?
Purdy has played in bad weather games before, most notably as a four-year starter at Iowa State. Under the pressure of the national spotlight, a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line and no glove in sight, Purdy did his best when it mattered most.
On the final drive of the game, the second-year quarterback completed six of his seven attempts for 47 yards, helping his team win.
Overcoming adversity with a game-winning performance might be what the team needed to sharpen its focus heading into Sunday's NFC title game, but one thing is for sure: Purdy will know whether to wear a glove or not.
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