SANTA CLARA — The final time Brock Purdy confronted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was his NFL debut final season because the beginning quarterback for the 49ers.
It was a full-circle second Sunday afternoon as Purdy once more led his crew to a 27-14 win over the Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium.
Purdy’s nerves have been extra heightened again in that Week 14 matchup throughout the 2022 NFL season, however the strain he places on himself to play a greater recreation is greater in 2023. Even after finishing 21 of his 25 makes an attempt for 333 yards, three touchdowns and an ideal passer score Sunday, there’s extra work to be finished.
“There are nonetheless some performs that I want I had again,” Purdy stated after the sport. “Not utterly content material with that, nevertheless it was an important recreation with the blokes round me, the teaching and the play-calling. All of it.”
Purdy’s effectivity within the passing recreation included finishing 5 of his six makes an attempt to huge receiver Brandon Aiyuk for 156 yards and a career-long 76-yard landing play. Purdy’s earlier career-long completion was a 74-yard landing go to Deebo Samuel within the wild-card spherical of the 2022 NFL playoffs towards the Seattle Seahawks.
Aiyuk’s earlier profession finest was a 54-yard reception from Brock Purdy in Week 16 of the 2022 season throughout a win over the Washington Commanders. And after Sunday’s win, the wideout believes not a lot has modified for his quarterback since that first begin towards Tampa Bay final yr.
“I’ve at all times received the identical feeling from him, the identical vitality from him,” Aiyuk stated. “Not as a participant anyhow.”
Christian McCaffrey additionally performed a big position on the offense with 21 carries for 78 yards whereas additionally catching all 5 of his targets for 25 yards and a landing. The All-Professional working again believes nothing shakes his quarterback.
“He was superior, similar to he’s each recreation,” McCaffrey stated. “Poised, calm, collected and aggressive, and made some superb performs. He’s at all times been the identical man. A competitor, an important chief and a heck of a ball participant.”
McCaffrey and his quarterback are two peas in a pod striving for perfection. On a fourth-and-short state of affairs late within the recreation, McCaffrey was unable to assist his crew convert and was seen on the sidelines visibly upset after failing to get the yardage.
That want for perfection is perhaps why McCaffrey was so moved when he was instructed about Purdy’s good score.
“Dang, he had an ideal passer score?” McCaffrey stated. “That’s unimaginable. He’s a baller. That’s a very good protection too. It doesn’t shock me, nevertheless it’s spectacular. I’m completely happy for him.”
The 49ers face a tricky three-game sequence subsequent, beginning with their Thanksgiving matchup towards their NFC West-rival Seattle Seahawks on Thursday evening. However for just a bit whereas, Purdy will take pleasure in this win.
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