Purdy goes up for the 49ers in his first comeback attempt
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy has passed his final test and now has the San Francisco 49ers in position for a potential playoff bye.
On a day when San Francisco’s usually stellar defense was struggling against a backup quarterback, Purdy showed he could thrive as much when coming from behind as when playing with a lead.
Purdy played in his fifth straight game with two TD passes and threw for 284 yards to help the Niners rally from a 10-point second-half deficit to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 37-34 in overtime on Sunday for their ninth win. consecutive.
“I don’t think anyone wants to close a game or anything,” Purdy said. “You always want to rack up points and win in a comfortable way. But for us to get through that kind of scenario and for our offense and even for me the game is on the line, we have to get out on the pitch and put winning points and making defense confidence, all that kind of stuff.
“I think it was great to see where we are in relation to our goal in all of this. It’s good for us to go through this.”
The 49ers (12-4) can clinch the NFC’s No. 2 seed with a win over Arizona next week or a loss to Minnesota. San Francisco also has a shot at the No. 1 seed and a bye if Philadelphia loses to the Giants in Week 18.
Purdy hadn’t taken a snap on offense in the second half of a game with San Francisco trailing since taking over when Jimmy Garoppolo was injured in the first quarter of Week 13.
But Purdy was unfazed after the Raiders took a 24-14 lead early in the third quarter. Purdy led San Francisco on four scoring drives over the next five possessions, then led the 49ers into position for a potentially game-winning field goal that Robbie Gould missed late in regulation.
San Francisco won it after Tashaun Gipson intercepted Jarrett Stidham to set up Gould’s game winner.
It was one of the Niners’ few big defensive plays on a day when they allowed 34 points and 500 yards in their worst showing since a 44-23 loss to the Chiefs in Week 7.
“Obviously a ton to fix defensively, but for the offense to take control and win it for us was huge,” Bosa said. “We needed that. I’m proud of them.
WHAT WORKS
Give the ball to Christian McCaffrey. The Niners had 19 carries for 121 yards and six catches for 72 yards and scored a touchdown for the fifth straight game. McCaffrey also generated nine first downs in the game, giving him a team-best 60 this season despite playing just 10 games for San Francisco.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
Defend deep passes. Stidham completed five passes thrown from at least 20 yards down the field for the most allowed in a game by the Niners as Josh Allen also had five on Dec. 7, 2020. The Raiders gained 177 yards and had two touchdowns on those games.
STORE
Offensive line. The Niners allowed no sacks for the fifth time this season with right tackle Mike McGlinchey doing a good job shutting down Raiders star rusher Maxx Crosby. The line also helped San Francisco rush for 170 yards, marking the fourth time in six seasons under Shanahan that the Niners have rushed for so many yards in a game without allowing a sack.
SOLD OUT
Gould missed a potentially game-winning field goal when his 41-yard try on the last regulation play went wide right. Gould has missed five field goals this season, all of the misses being on shots from within 50 yards. The last Niners kicker to miss that many from within 50 yards in a season was David Akers with nine in 2012.
INJURIES
G Aaron Backs (knee, ankle) will likely miss the game this week but could be back for the playoffs. … The Niners are awaiting more information on LB Dre Greenlaw’s back injury but he could play this week. … McCaffrey (ankle) is day to day. … WR Deebo Samuel (knee, ankle) and RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) will train this week and could return on Sunday.
KEY FIGURES
2-33 — The Niners generated a rare double-digit comeback under coach Kyle Shanahan. It marked just the second in 35 tries since Shanahan took over that San Francisco won a game after trailing by at least 10 points in the second half. The other came in Week 18 against the Rams last season.
AND AFTER
San Francisco hosts Arizona on Sunday.
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