Brock Purdy analysis: How did San Francisco 49ers QB fare in first two NFL playoff games?
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers have a huge NFL playoff game on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, with the winner advancing to Super Bowl 57 in Arizona.
But before we look ahead to that pivotal NFC Championship Game, let's look back at how Purdy, a rookie quarterback out of Gilbert (Arizona) Perry High and Iowa State, thrust into the spotlight after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, has fared in his first two NFL playoff games.
Awards:San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy among finalists for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Jan. 14 NFC Wild Card Round game: San Francisco 49ers 41, Seattle Seahawks 23
Purdy's first NFL playoff game was an impressive one as the rookie quarterback went 18-for-30 for 332 yards passing, with three touchdown passes and no interceptions.
He also rushed for a touchdown and had four carries for 16 yards on the ground.
Purdy dazzles in the game, connecting on a 3-yard pass to Christian McCaffrey in the first quarter to give San Francisco a 10-0 lead.
His touchdown run came from 1-yard out in the third quarter and put the 49ers ahead for good in the game, 23-17.
Early in the fourth quarter, he hit Elijah Mitchell from seven yards out and completed a pass to George Kittle for the 2-point conversion to extend his team's lead to 31-17.
His final touchdown was a 74-yard pass to Deebo Samuel with 10:51 left in the game that put the 49ers ahead, 38-17.
Reaction:San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy's NFL playoff poise, performance, awes NFL community
Rookie @49ers QB @brockpurdy13 is making a name for himself during the #NFLPlayoffs.🔥
His performance against the @Seahawks made him the first rookie QB in @NFL history to have four TDs in a single playoff game. pic.twitter.com/1jEf7kgNlF— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) January 18, 2023
The performance earned Purdy some rave reviews on social media:
The first rookie QB with 4 total TDs in a playoff game: @BrockPurdy13
(h/t @NFLResearch) pic.twitter.com/owg3z4hy17— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2023
Brock Purdy really threw a TD on this play pic.twitter.com/3lMxMk0nwp
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2023
PURDY GOT GAME!!!!!!!!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 14, 2023
Brock Purdy now has as many career playoff touchdowns (4) as Jimmy Garoppolo.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 15, 2023
Brock Purdy has 10th playoff game in Super Bowl era with 330+ yards passing, 0 INTs and 4 TDs (combined rushing and passing). The others: pic.twitter.com/oWLhwaxJHS
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 15, 2023
Jan 22 NFC Divisional Round game: San Francisco 49ers 19, Dallas Cowboys 12
Purdy's numbers weren't nearly as impressive in his second NFL start, but he was going up against one of the NFL's best defenses and he didn't turn the ball over again.
In the win over Dallas, Purdy completed 19-of-29 passes for 214 yards. He rushed three times for eight yards.
Purdy built off his chemistry with George Kittle in this game, connecting with the tight end on five catches for 95 yards.
One highlight was a 17-yard completion to Deebo Samuel 2nd and 19 late in the first half that set up a Robbie Gould 47-yard field goal to tie the game at 6.
Just a few minutes later, he connected on a beautiful 21-yard pass to Jauan Jennings that set up a 50-yard field goal by Gould to give the 49ers a 9-6 lead as time expired in the first half.
He had a key 30-yard pass to Kittle in the third quarter that eventually led to the 49ers' lone touchdown of the day, a two-yard run by McCaffrey.
Who is Brock Purdy?:49ers QB rises from Arizona, Iowa State to brink of Super Bowl
Social media praised Purdy's poise against the Cowboys' unrelenting pressure:
Brock Purdy.
Still undefeated.
One win away from a Super Bowl appearance.
Still a 7th-round rookie.
Poise on 💯 pic.twitter.com/clWz0nIICh— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2023
.@49ers @brockpurdy13 knows how to throw a ball…probably any kind of ball b/c his mechanics are so sound. He throws with his legs and to to that you need great footwork. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Zhfsz9c4Ye
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 23, 2023
Huge boost to Brock Purdy’s stock! Did exactly what the team needed him to do. Took what the Defense gave and got out of a few negative plays.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 23, 2023
Brock Purdy didn't have a moment at all yesterday, or honestly, all year, where I remember thinking, "What the hell are you doing?" We had a lot of those moments with Jimmy G. Brock Purdy is playing well. There is no question about that. pic.twitter.com/2mjEEeUoLi
— Ryan G Hensley (@ryanghensley) January 23, 2023
Absolutely. Brock Purdy played a good game. People are way too simplistic with QB evaluations. Purdy was operating under brutal conditions. Dallas pass rush is real. That was an impressive performance — rookie or vet https://t.co/7w3bxL8e2G
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 23, 2023
Can the rookie quarterback deliver again against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday to send the 49ers to the Super Bowl?
'Seen that before':Former Perry QB Brock Purdy's sudden 49ers success no surprise
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brock Purdy NFL playoff analysis for 49ers' wins vs. Seahawks, Cowboys
