San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, in his 23rd NFL start, encountered significant challenges during Monday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, marking a departure from his previous performances.
Purdy threw a career-high four interceptions, including three in the first half, contributing to the Niners’ 33-19 loss that dropped their season record to 11-4.
“He’s played this long, he never had a game like this,” commented 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. “It’s pretty unusual. That’s the reality of the NFL. I’m not saying it’s bound to happen but wish he didn’t have as many picks today.”
Purdy’s struggles included a completion rate of 18-of-32 for 255 yards, without any touchdowns, resulting in a career-low passer rating of 42.6. His difficult night concluded prematurely in the fourth quarter due to a left shoulder stinger.
Reflecting on the game, Purdy acknowledged the need to learn from his mistakes and refocus for the upcoming challenge against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
“It’s the NFL,” Purdy remarked. “We have some opportunities coming up, and we still got two games left in the regular season before we get into playoffs.
For me, [I’m] trying to look at the big picture of what we’re trying to do, what our team goals are. But at the same time, I have to look myself in the mirror and ask myself why or how that happened and why I made those decisions?”
San Francisco 49ers (Credits: NFL)
Despite starting strongly with a long pass to tight end George Kittle, Purdy’s night unraveled with crucial interceptions, including a costly pick intended for Deebo Samuel and interceptions influenced by Ravens’ defensive plays.
Purdy’s challenges also extended beyond interceptions. He faced physical issues, sustaining a stinger and encountering difficulty due to the team’s injury-stricken offensive line.
Looking ahead, Shanahan expressed confidence in Purdy’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing the quarterback’s resilience and determination.
“I got to ask myself, ‘All right, who are you?'” Purdy reflected. “‘What do you stand for? Who are you when things are good? Who are you when things don’t go your way?’ … And when things don’t go my way, it’s understanding I can’t be acting out. I have to be real with myself and be better.”
Despite the setback, the Niners remain focused on their playoff aspirations and the opportunity to secure a favorable postseason position with upcoming games.
“I obviously have to look myself in the mirror, watch the plays, ready to get better, make some cleaner decisions, help my team put up points and score and protect the ball,” Purdy concluded.
“And when things don’t go my way, it’s understanding I can’t be acting out. I have to be real with myself and be better, but I want to be the same guy every day.”
