Brock Purdy’s development in one crucial area could be the catalyst for the 49ers’ playoff push
The San Francisco 49ers just returned from their bye and are set to host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, aiming to improve to 10-4 as the NFC West remains tightly contested.
Ahead of Week 14, San Francisco stands among the biggest favorites, opening as 12.5-point chalk against the 2-11 Titans at home. This is a game the 49ers should, and must, win as they navigate a pivotal late-season run with significant playoff implications.
On offense, the storyline matters most. In a game like this, the last thing the 49ers can afford is self-inflicted errors. Remarkably, San Francisco ranks near the top in the league for discipline, sitting second in both total penalties and penalty yards conceded this season.
That places a premium on ball security. Purdy has had a few multi-turnover outings this year (three games with two turnovers in five starts), but he arguably delivered his best performance of the season in the 26-8 victory over the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago.
Looking at the box score, it might appear like Purdy underperformed. He threw for 168 yards, the fewest in a game this season, and his completion rate dipped to 55.2 percent, with his lowest yards per attempt at 5.8. Yet he accomplished what mattered most: protecting the football.
Facing a reactive defense known for making splash plays, Purdy used disciplined decision-making and avoided unnecessary risk, throwing the ball away seven times after seven such plays in his first four starts. His mobility also paid off, helping him escape pressure and sustain drives for San Francisco.
That approach was enough to secure the win, aided by the defense’s timely stops and a few big plays that converted to scores in the 26-8 victory.
“I thought the Cleveland game was fantastic from Brock,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “He bounced back from the Carolina game, where timing or execution issues led to some missed throws and three picks. Then he faced a tough defense in Cleveland, stayed in the pocket, and delivered the throws he needed to win. I’m really proud of him. Each game has presented different challenges, and he’s handling them well. He’s playing with confidence, especially after the bye. I expect him to keep improving.”
A clear emphasis this week was rapid ball movement against pressure. “We stressed not holding the ball,” Kubiak added. “If you’re going to take a hitch or two, the ball has to come out, or you’ve got to scramble or reset the offense, because their pass rush is relentless. We knew the challenge, so it was a point of emphasis to avoid a costly turnover.”
This week, Purdy will face a different kind of defense, one that could create more opportunities for playmaking. Still, he must curb turnovers if the 49ers want to maximize their postseason chances. If Purdy can continue shifting toward more risk-averse play in the final weeks, San Francisco should be well-positioned to make a genuine postseason impact.
The objective now is simple: string together quality performances and build momentum for the stretch run.
