Thompson: Brock Purdy succeeded, came down and saved the 49ers

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The most important part of the night may not have been done by Christian McCaffrey. Or Deebo Samuel. Or even by George Kittle on one of his epic catch-and-runs.

No. It was probably by the game manager. The most pace-grabbing, back-breaking, Lions-controlling run that could be made was made by Brock Purdy, who scored 17 points in the San Francisco 49ers’ 34-31 win over Detroit on Sunday in the NFC. Was the director of the return of. Championship game.

“I’m blocking my guy, and the next thing I know I’m screaming,” left guard Aaron Banks said from the party in the 49ers locker room at Levi’s Stadium after the game. “And Brock is down 20 yards.”

One candidate was Purdy’s 21-yard completions in the second quarter and 11-yard completions in the third quarter. He turned on his baby burner by moving up the middle to get away from Lions defensive back Brian Branch. Two plays later the defense forced a turnover, Purdy had the 49ers’ first-and-goal at Detroit’s 4-yard line. McCaffrey finished the drive with a 1-yard score to tie the game at 24.

Purdy took off for 21 yards!

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Purdy’s scamper was emblematic of the 49ers’ offensive mood. This time red-zone issues will not come in the way. Field goals were not an option.

If Samuel had not been there, he might have scored the goal himself.

“He came straight at me and jumped,” Samuel said. “I feel like if I had made that block, he probably would have scored.”

Another candidate was Purdy’s breathtaking scramble on the first play of the next drive. McCaffrey missed a block on blitzing Detroit safety Ifeetu Melifonvu. But Purdy ducked an 8-yard sack for a first down, spun to his left and drove toward the sideline. Before being tackled, he threw a laser down the sideline for Kyle Juszczyk to tap in toe-first. This was the first play on the drive that resulted in the go-ahead field goal. This was the first sign that Purdy was in the bag.

Purple magic in full effect🪄

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Another option, perhaps the best, was his third and fourth runs on the game-winning drive to send the 49ers to the Super Bowl against Kansas City. With just under five minutes left and the 49ers were across midfield, Detroit was desperate to make a stop. But Purdy stepped into the pocket and took off again. He escaped the grasp of Lions sack specialist Aidan Hutchinson, slipped from the diving clutches of linebacker Jack Campbell, and knocked down linebacker Alex Anzalone on the sideline.

After turning the field, weaving into open space, Purdy didn’t slip. He bowed his head first. Because he wanted every yard. Because scared money doesn’t make money. Because championships are not won through inaction.

Brock Purdy keeps causing damage with his legs!

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Purdy has been typecast by many as the prototypical game manager. More of a passenger than a driver. More benefactor than benefactor. One who prevents more harm than one who conquers. The game manager label is basically a pejorative in modern quarterback discourse.

But on Sunday, the 49ers needed something more. Their season was on the line. Their championship hopes were fading.

Purdy became what they needed: a playmaker, a difference maker. In the second half, he was 13-for-16 for 174 yards and a touchdown. No obstruction. His haul of 49 runs was the best evidence that he was not just a passenger in this historic comeback. he was driving.

“I thought it was the difference between winning and losing,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Purdy’s scramble. “He made some big plays with his legs, got out of the pocket, moved chains on some first downs, some explosiveness. He tightened his belt today. It was not easy for any of us. He kept grinding. He was unbelievable in the second half.”

In the NFC Divisional Round, Purdy overcame his struggles to make a comeback on the final drive and lead the 49ers to the game-winning score. They propelled themselves to the NFC title and swept San Francisco by 17 points.

He flipped the script on the Lions, scoring 27 points on five consecutive drives.

“When I’m halfway through 17,” Purdy said, “Honestly I’m thinking, ‘Okay God. You got me here. Win or lose, I’m going to glorify you.’ This is my peace. This is joy. This is perseverance. This is where I get it from. This is the true truth.”

Detroit had a significant role in its destruction. Dropping pass. Moving field goals in favor of pride and pattern. Purdy made sure all his misdeeds were punished.

This was enough to add some texture to the debate about Purdy. At least to give your opponents pause. To at least recognize the possibility that his ceiling might be higher than his aura. He may not be on the level of potential MVP Lamar Jackson or the extremely talented Josh Allen. Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert are more established talents.

But Purdy is not at home.

Brock Purdy did so with his legs as well as his arm on Sunday, rushing for 49 yards in the second half to help the 49ers lead a comeback victory over the Lions. (Theron W. Henderson/Getty Images)

“I can’t have enough good things to say about Brock,” McCaffrey said. “Since he came here he has only played at a high level. And everything starts with him. We’re lucky to have him as our quarterback. He takes a lot of heat for no reason. He has worked as a great leader and a great player.”

Purdy doesn’t have a big hand. Or blazing athleticism. His inexperience comes to the fore many times. His accuracy may abandon him. He has enough inhibitions to make you believe that he might be living right. He put up some amazing stats, propelling his name into MVP conversations, but he also had some moments to make the idea of winning the league’s highest honor a little ridiculous.

All this was evident in the first half on Sunday. This was Purdy’s version, which was much easier to question and ridicule when mentioned among the elite. He completed only 47 percent of his passes in the first two quarters – including an interception that set up a Detroit touchdown – and missed several other throws. The powerful 49ers offense scored only seven points in the first half against a weak defense.

The entire Bay Area was asking to speak to the manager.

That’s when Purdy emerged. A young man with a healthy smile, responsible dress and politeness at your service.

“My faith never wavered,” 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. said of his quarterback. “I’ve been saying it all year. You’ve got a guy who can control the game, who knows where to go and when to get the ball. I’m glad he’s on my team. I will tell you all that. I never worry. “When Purdy needs to score points, that’s when he’s at his best.”

What attracted the 49ers was Purdy’s immense potential. Gunman mentality. Mid-major resolution. Mr. Irrelevant chip on his shoulder. The toughness of the little man.

Like that heart-breaking throw by Juwan Jennings on third and fourth down that left the 49ers in 17th place. Purdy scrambled, stopped just short of the line of scrimmage and threw a pass over the middle across his body. It was like an alley-oop, and Jennings needed his 6-foot-3 frame and 6-foot-4 wingspan to make the catch with one hand and keep the drive alive. This was Patrick Mahomesian.

But most of all, heart. Purdy is not afraid of pressure. He may appear nervous at times, but not so much as to shake him into a shell. His will to win took over on Sunday.

The play of the game, his deep chuck to Brandon Aiyuk, was the opposite of a game manager. After trailing by two touchdowns to the 49ers, and having a massive turnover on downs on defense, Purdy was not going to play it safe.

He was trying to make a play. He felt they needed something big and went for it.

Ayyuk incredible!

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“In that moment,” Purdy said, “I’m looking at it like we need a play. I’m not going to be stupid and throw the ball up. But BA is one-on-one. I’ll take that option. “Especially in a game like this. We needed that kind of game.” So people can say whatever they want, but I was giving my man a chance.

The Lions had a single defenseman hovering in the middle of the field. When Samuel got cut off at a crossing route, security went with him. This left Aiyuk one-on-one with Detroit cornerback Kyndal Vildor.

“I saw it live,” Samuel said. “I saw the guy cut the high cross I was running to and I just looked up and Brock cut it.”

Purdy is here, not Jimmy Garoppolo, because the 49ers can’t win a Super Bowl without a quarterback able and willing to hit the deep ball. For all his success, Garoppolo’s hesitation to make downfield throws, even if stemming from Shanahan’s hesitation to make long throws, placed a limit on the 49ers’ offense. They drafted Trey Lance to be more dynamic.

They end up with Purdy, who can scramble and push the ball downfield.

The 49ers lost their last Super Bowl because they could not score in the fourth quarter. While Patrick Mahomes was cementing himself as a legend, the 49ers’ offense stifled due to Garoppolo’s predictable slant passes and pocket confinement.

Purdy probably won’t even surpass Mahomes. But it’s not off the table. It was said that he could not come from behind and he has come. It was said that he could not take the team forward and he did just that. It was said that he wasn’t the reason the 49ers won, and he was. He is truly surrounded by talent. And he can be defeated. He may fall short. But on Sunday there was further proof of the gamer in him. He can handle it. He can manage down.

Pudgy is not afraid. No running for it, or slinging it, or picking up the defense.

His pass to Aiyuk went a little too deep – or pass interference may have prevented Aiyuk from reaching the ball – and Vildor had a chance to make the interception. His job is to stay on top of the receiver, and he did just that. But the pass bounced off his helmet and into Aiyuk’s arms.

lucky? Absolutely. But fortune favors the courageous.

“I watched the replay,” Kittle said, “and I was like, ‘Exactly how we wanted it to look. Just take the ba’dang guy’s facemask off. Brock’s good at football, right?’

If it’s a game manager, it should be the premium version.