Brock Purdy, the rising star of the San Francisco 49ers, is gearing up to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the highly anticipated Super Bowl 58. In just his second season in the NFL, Purdy has defied expectations and earned himself a spot in the biggest game of the year. However, he will have to overcome a formidable opponent in the Kansas City ‘D,’ which has been stingy, allowing only 13.7 points per game in the playoffs.
Purdy has been leading a high-powered San Francisco offense that has been averaging an impressive 29.0 points per game this postseason. This is consistent with their performance in the regular season, where they ranked third in the league. The young quarterback has been efficient, completing 61.4% of his passes for 519 yards, 2 touchdowns, and only 1 interception in the two playoff games against the Packers and Lions. But can he replicate this success against the Chiefs? Let’s take a look at three predictions about Purdy’s upcoming game, powered by AI and brought to you by Quarter 4.
According to Quarter 4’s projections, the Chiefs’ defense has an 86% chance of securing the first sack of the game and a 70% chance of getting the first interception. Purdy should also expect to be sacked more frequently than usual. During the regular season, he was sacked an average of 1.8 times per game, but Quarter 4’s projections indicate that he will be sacked 2.6 times in this matchup, a significant 44.4% increase. With the Chiefs’ impressive average of 3.5 sacks per game, it’s clear that Purdy will be under constant pressure.
While the Chiefs will be missing defensive lineman Charles Omenihu due to an ACL tear, they still have All-Pro Chris Jones, who will need to step up and deliver a standout performance. Kansas City’s defense has amassed 6.0 sacks in the playoffs so far, and their regular-season total of 57 sacks was the second-highest in the NFL. It comes as no surprise that Purdy will likely find himself scrambling and running for his life throughout the game.
One potential consequence of this relentless pressure is that Purdy might resort to running the ball more frequently. In the game against the Lions, he showcased his mobility by rushing for an impressive 48 yards on 5 carries, which was one of the highest totals of the entire 2023 season. It wouldn’t be surprising if he adopts a similar strategy in this crucial Super Bowl matchup.
As the countdown to Super Bowl 58 continues, all eyes will be on Brock Purdy as he faces the challenge of a formidable Kansas City defense. Will he be able to lead the San Francisco 49ers to victory, or will the Chiefs’ relentless pass rush prove too much for the young quarterback? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the stage is set for an epic showdown.
BETH MISHLER-ELMORE: PURDY’S PLAYOFF STRUGGLES CONTINUE AGAINST CHIEFS
In a shocking turn of events, quarterback Purdy’s performance in the playoffs has been far from impressive. Despite his stellar regular season, where he ranked third in the NFL in touchdown passes, Purdy has failed to replicate his success in the postseason.
Facing off against the formidable Chiefs defense, Purdy’s chances of a multi-touchdown game seem slim. In fact, our projections indicate a 31.6% decrease in his touchdown throws compared to his regular season average. This is certainly not the news that fans were hoping for.
One potential saving grace for Purdy could be his reliance on star running back Christian McCaffrey. With the Chiefs’ defense ranking eighth in the NFL in red zone defense, Purdy may need to lean on McCaffrey’s talents to make any significant offensive impact.
Furthermore, Purdy’s struggles in the early stages of playoff games have been evident. However, he has managed to find a way to win in the end. While our model suggests that the 49ers may come out on top, it is unlikely to be solely due to Purdy’s arm.
Looking at the numbers, Purdy’s average of 19.3 completions per game during the regular season pales in comparison to the projected 24.7 completions in Quarter 4. This represents a staggering 28% increase, indicating that Purdy may need to step up his passing game to have a chance against the Chiefs.
Lastly, Quarter 4 predicts Purdy throwing for 288.7 yards, surpassing his per-game average of 267.5. This increase in yardage could potentially be a silver lining for the struggling quarterback.
In conclusion, Purdy’s playoff journey has been anything but smooth sailing. As he faces off against the Chiefs, the odds are stacked against him. Only time will tell if he can rise to the occasion and prove his doubters wrong.
