After a 5-0 start, San Francisco 49ers fans began making arrangements for the Super Bowl.
Three straight losses and five Brocky Purdy interceptions later, the 49ers are struggling to maintain their lead in the NFC playoff race.
In a 31-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Cincinnati Bengals caused two Purdy turnovers and moved the ball well.
The Bengals are back after a 1-3 start, thanks to quarterback Joe Burrow’s recovery from a preseason calf injury. Meanwhile, the 49ers must regroup after a three-game losing streak.
Back-to-back Purdy’s selections effectively end the 49ers’ season.
On Sunday, Cincinnati struck first and led 14-10 at halftime. The game was still close, with Cincinnati leading 17-10 late in the third quarter. The 49ers drove deep into Bengals territory, setting up first-and-goal from the 8, with a chance to tie the game. While capitalizing on a Purdy error, Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt produced a game-changing play.
Purdy rolled out to the right and targeted Eli Mitchell near the end zone along the sideline. However, Pratt was on Purdy’s tail and reached out to whack the ball behind the line of scrimmage. He subsequently snatched it for an interception, putting a stop to San Francisco’s scoring threat.
On their next possession, the Bengals punted after four plays. Purdy, on the other hand, gave the ball right back with an ill-advised toss on his next pass.
On first-and-10 from the San Francisco 20, Purdy targeted Brandon Aiyuk across the center of the field. Instead, he found Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, who picked off an easy pass to put Cincinnati deep in San Francisco territory.
One play later, Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase for a 17-yard touchdown, and the Bengals extended their lead to 24-10.
Purdy interceptions foiled a 49ers scoring opportunity before setting up the Bengals for one of their own. It was too much for the 49ers to handle.
The turnovers come just one day after Purdy was cleared from concussion protocol, raising questions about whether he should have been playing at all. They also left the 49ers with questions as they enter their bye week.
“Obviously, I want to be better,” Purdy said after the loss. “For this group, for this organization.” Simply taking care of the ball at critical points in the game. That is the National Football League. You’re not going to blow out teams every week.
“In terms of three losses, as a quarterback, I take that on myself, where I can be better for this team in helping us win.”
All-Star tight end Meanwhile, George Kittle highlighted Purdy’s performance and the necessity of ball protection.
Purdy’s next move, 49ers?
Purdy’s career has taken a sharp turn after his blistering start. Purdy tossed 16 touchdowns and three interceptions in nine starts, including three in the playoffs, after taking over as San Francisco’s quarterback. Last season, he started eight games for the 49ers, going 8-1, losing only to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game after leaving early with an elbow injury. He had a 9-to-0 interception ratio in San Francisco’s 5-0 start this season, earning MVP consideration.
Then, in a Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, he took three sacks and threw an interception. He threw two interceptions in a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. And now comes Sunday, when he may or may not be feeling the aftereffects of a concussion suffered in that Week 7 defeat.
Except for two costly turnovers, Purdy was effective on Sunday. He finished 21 of 31 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown. He spread the ball around, connecting with Kittle nine times for 149 yards and Aiyuk five times for 109 yards. Christian McCaffrey had six receptions for 64 yards, including one touchdown.
But the errors jumped out and had the most impact on the outcome on Sunday, especially when compared to an ascending Burrow, who completed 28 of 32 attempts for three touchdowns and no turnovers.
In San Francisco, there is no need to panic. This is still one of the most skilled teams in the league. And Purdy’s track record — however brief — shows that his recent gaffes are not typical. However, the 49ers still have some issues to work out that were not evident three weeks ago. Their break couldn’t have come at a better time.
