The San Francisco 49ers, coming off their heartbreaking loss in last season’s Super Bowl, were hoping that this season would be the one in which they would finally win their sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Instead, the 2024 season has devolved into a string of key injuries, miscues and inexcusable losses.
Quarterback Brock Purdy was sensational last season, but although he isn’t playing badly this year, his production has fallen off a bit.
NFL analyst Greg Cosell says that the reason for the drop off in Purdy’s performance has been that he’s been a bit hasty when it comes to getting out of the pocket, per 95.7 The Game.
“[Brock Purdy] has had a stretch here for a month or so where to me he’s not been particularly comfortable. He’s leaving the pocket too early, he’s not seeing it with the clarity that we expect him to, based on his past.”@gregcosell | @WillardAndDibs
🎧 https://t.co/2fqvfjoblu pic.twitter.com/dGvaZgOHuO
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) November 21, 2024
One of the things that makes Purdy, at worst, a near-elite QB is his ability to get out of the pocket, extend plays and either make passes on the run or move the chains with his legs.
His production on the ground has increased this season — he has run for 267 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games, compared to 144 yards and two touchdowns all of last season.
But his touchdown percentage is down to 4.2 percent from 7.0 percent in 2023, and he has thrown only 13 touchdown passes after he had 31 last season.
The many injuries the Niners have had, particularly to star running back Christian McCaffrey, have been a factor, but their overall offense just hasn’t been functioning as well as it did in the past.
Their chances of making the playoffs could be all but determined in the next two weeks when they head out on the road to play the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
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