SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy wasn't his usual, meticulous self in the 49ers' 24-21 NFC divisional playoff win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday at Levi's Stadium.
After two quarters, the quarterback had completed just 10 of 16 passes for 125 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to tight end George Kittle. After the game, Purdy explained how the weather and wearing a glove on his throwing hand affected his accuracy.
“Early on, obviously I had the glove on on the first drive,” Purdy said. “It was coming down, and then it splashed, so I took it off. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and I was kind of tired of the glove, so I was throwing the way I normally do.”
Rain continued to fall intermittently throughout the game, affecting Purdy's performance, even after he discovered the condition of his glove.
“There were some times when I was running back and the ball was wet off the turf and it kind of affected accuracy and stuff, but that's football,” Purdy said. “I have to be better at this.”
At the end of the night, Purdy completed 23 of his 39 attempts for 252 yards, one touchdown and an 86.7 passer rating. Was his problem with consistency with his offense until the final inning a result of rest, rust, or the glove?
Purdy has played in inclement weather games before, especially when he was a four-year starter at Iowa State. With the pressure of the national spotlight, a trip to the NFC Championship on the line and no glove in sight, Purdy played his best when it mattered most.
On the final drive of the game, the sophomore quarterback completed six of his seven attempts for 47 yards to help lead his team to the win.
Overcoming adversity by putting together a game-winning drive may be just what the team needs to sharpen its focus heading into Sunday's NFC title game, but one thing is for sure — Purdy will know whether he puts on a glove or not.
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