The San Francisco 49ers escaped Las Vegas with a thrilling come-from-behind win in overtime to beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 37-34, in a game that made the 49ers look vulnerable. 49ers Brock Purdy answered many questions during the game, but one question remains: how many playoff games does Purdy need to win to be the 49ers starting quarterback next season?
49ers Brock Purdy Poised For Playoffs
49ers Brock Purdy looked like a rookie against Vegas, but he proved that the big moment was manageable. He completed 22 of 35 passing attempts for 284 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception. Purdy was under pressure from the Raiders’ defense all game and didn’t shy away from the stress in the spotlight.
There have been a lot of questions regarding how 49ers’ Brock Purdy would be able to perform under pressure, in a double-digit deficit, on the road. Finally, in the second half, the 49ers were down 24-14 against the Raiders, and we finally got to witness how Purdy would react to adversity. In facing a ten-point deficit on the road, 49ers Brock Purdy showed guts, grit, and calmness in the pocket leading his team to multiple scoring drives in the last two drives of the game to solidify the win.
The seventh-round rookie and final selection of the 2022 NFL draft looked like a ten-year veteran when the game was on the line. 49ers Brock Purdy was poised under pressure all game when the Raiders defense blitzed multiple times, and he was able to make quick and accurate throws to keep drives alive. 49ers Brock Purdy showed fans and critics alike that he could lead his team to a win from a double-digit deficit on the road late in the fourth quarter.
There are a few questions regarding Purdy’s performance on the field. Through his first five games, Brock Purdy is showing he is a starting NFL-caliber quarterback despite being the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft. In 49ers Brock Purdy’s first five starts, Mr. Irrelevant has shown that he’s relevant in the NFL.
He’s completing almost 70 percent of his passes, scored nine total touchdowns, and has an undefeated record. The main question that looms large now regarding 49ers Brock Purdy is how many playoff games he needs to win to secure the starting quarterback position for the 49ers next season.
49ers Brock Purdy QB1 in 2023?
The questions regarding the 49ers and their future starting quarterback in 2023 will not be answered until this season is complete. The 49ers starting quarterback position will be determined by how well 49ers Brock Purdy performs in the playoffs.
As of now, the 49ers will host at least one home playoff game this season. The 49ers currently sit at the number two seed in the NFC playoff picture with a win against the Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings losing on the road to the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers can only be as low as the third seed in the NFC playoffs, but they can be the number one seed in the NFC playoff picture with some help.
The 49ers can clinch the number one seed in the NFC and a first-round bye if they beat the Arizona Cardinals in the last week of the regular season and the Philadelphia Eagles lose their final regular season game to the New York Giants.
49ers Brock Purdy QB1 Scenarios
The 49ers quarterback room will be a popular topic of discussion this postseason and off-season. Again, depending on how the regular season ends for the San Francisco 49ers will determine the 49ers’ starting quarterback position in the future. Right now, the 49ers are going with Purdy heading into the playoffs, but will Purdy be the favorite to win the job next season?
If Brock Purdy wins the Super Bowl this year for the 49ers, he will go into next year as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. However, if the 49ers get to the NFC Championship game, and Purdy performs well but loses a close game, he should still be the starting quarterback of the 49ers next season.
The only scenario Brock Purdy will not be the clear-cut favorite to be the starting quarterback of the 49ers for the 2023 season is if they lose in the first or second round of the playoffs and Purdy struggles and has a game where he has multiple turnovers and looks overwhelmed. It will be fascinating to see how the 49ers’ quarterback situation unfolds heading into the last week of the regular season and into the playoffs.
The Raiders humbled the 49ers, the 49ers defense look vulnerable, but the 49ers’ offense was able to pick up the defense against the Raiders. If the 49ers can play complementary football in all three phases of the game, offense, defense, and special teams, and Brock Purdy doesn’t commit crucial turnovers and make smart plays, the 49ers will be in great shape heading into the playoffs.
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