Funviralpark SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy shrugged off a first-half slump and accomplished what he’s done since taking over as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
Purdy threw 2 more long touchdown passes George Kittle and the 49ers extended their eighth straight win with a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders on Saturday.
“He brought us the ball,” Kittle said. “He’s good at football.
“His confidence is through the roof now. I don’t know why not.”
Purdy has continued to impress since subsiding for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo early in Week 13 and far exceeded expectations as the last player selected in this year’s NFL Draft. .
He threw two TD passes in four straight games for the 49ers (11-4) and won all three starts as San Francisco continued to put pressure on Minnesota in the race for the NFC’s second seed. .
Purdy joined Hall of Famer Kurt Warner as the only quarterback since starts were tracked in 1950 to win his first three starts while throwing multiple touchdown passes in each game.
“I don’t really think about getting more and more comfortable or anything like that,” he said. “I still have the same firepower and drive that I had before when I wasn’t playing. I want to acquire
taylor heinicke Throw 2 TD passes Losing Washington’s (7-7-1) as well as a fumble, threw an interception in the fourth quarter. He was replaced after a second present by Carson Wentz, and coach Ron Rivera said he hasn’t decided which quarterback to start next week.
The Commanders are winless in their last three games, but still hold a half lead over Seattle and Detroit in the race for the final playoff spot in the NFC.
“Nothing has changed. We are still in the same situation as when we were working on this problem,” Rivers said. “We control our destiny. His next two wins give us a chance, so it’s up to us.”
The Niners started the game in the third quarter thanks to some big plays from Purdy. They took the starting kickoff of the second half and drove to the go-ahead score. Kittle got open deep for a 34-yard score he stole from his intended target, teammate Ray-Ray MacLeod.
Kittle scored again late in the quarter 33 yard catch and run to make it 21-7. Kittle also recorded his two catches in a TD last week, achieving his career-high eight this season.
“He makes my job easier,” Purdy said. “He wins man-to-man matches with his speed and everything. Just give the guy the ball and he’ll take off.”
San Francisco capitalized on big plays all game, with McLeod scoring the first touchdown on a 71-yard end.
Nick Bosa and the Niners defense did the rest, with Bosa setting up one field goal by Robbie Gould. heinicke strip sack San Francisco added another after Jimmy Ward’s interception deep in Washington’s territory.
Playing for the first time since Week 6, Wentz threw a 20-yard TD pass to Curtis Samuel, but it came too late for Washington.
tip drill
Commanders utilized several tip passes to tie the game late in the first half.
The first was when Purdy appeared to complete a throw past the middle of Jauan Jennings. But Jennings bobbled the ball and Told it correctly to Darik Forrest for interception.
On the ensuing drive, Washington completed third and fifth on passes bobbled by Jahan Dotson. before bouncing.
Heinicke setup 4-yard TD pass to Dotson It was 7-7 at the break.
force down stop
Both teams stopped at 4 downs in the red zone in the first half.
San Francisco drove to 15 on their first drive before Christian McCaffrey was stopped by David Mayo on four pitches and one from fullback Kyle Jusik.
Washington, Antonio Gibson stuck in fourth By Fred Warner and Javon Kinroe.
The Commanders were stopped again in the 4th quarter of the 3rd quarter and their own 34 to 1.
Injury
Manager: LB John Bostic (chest) was sidelined in the second half and did not return. … DE James Smith-Williams was sidelined in the fourth quarter to undergo evaluation for his head injury.
49ers: CB Charvarius Ward returned to the game after entering the locker room with nausea in the second half.
next
Commander: Host Cleveland on January 1st.
49ers: Heading to Las Vegas on January 1st.
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