Brock Purdy Shines in 49ers second straight win

Liam O'Connor

November 19, 2023

(Brock Purdy hands it off to Deebo Samuel)

Securing a victory, the 49ers advanced to a 7-3 record for the season, claiming the top spot in the NFC West. Building momentum with consecutive wins, they are set to embark on a crucial divisional matchup against the Seahawks in Seattle on Thanksgiving.

Before the holiday showdown, let's review the highs and lows from the 49ers' Week 11 triumph over the Bucs.

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In a near-flawless performance on Sunday, Brock Purdy showcased his skills with three touchdowns and an impressive 333 yards on 21-of-25 passing against the Bucs. Purdy earned a perfect 158.3 passer rating, matching the highest possible rating for a quarterback this season (previously achieved only by Josh Allen). Notably, his 76-yard connection with Brandon Aiyuk marked the longest touchdown pass of the 2023 NFL season. Following Purdy's exceptional six touchdown passes in the last two weeks, the former Iowa State Cyclone's name is gaining traction in the MVP conversation.

During the third quarter, Talanoa Hufanga exited the game with a potential serious injury after slipping while attempting to tackle Bucs running back Rachaad White. Although Coach Shanahan couldn't confirm details, concerns linger about an ACL injury.

Stepping in for the injured Hufanga, rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown showcased his talent. Despite a shaky start, he delivered two crucial stops in the red zone, including a pass deflection against Mike Evans and an interception to seal the game. Brown's standout performance featured four tackles, three pass deflections, and his first career interception.

While Purdy commanded attention, Brandon Aiyuk quietly achieved a career-high performance with 156 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. Aiyuk's 76-yard catch down the sideline added to his impressive tally, bringing him closer to a second consecutive 1000-yard receiving season with 831 yards through 11 weeks. The Purdy-to-Aiyuk connection is emerging as one of the league's most potent quarterback-receiver duos.

Facing the Buccaneers' offensive line led by Tristan Wirfs, the 49ers' defensive front wreaked havoc with four sacks, building on their five-sack effort against the Jaguars. Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, Fred Warner, and new addition Chase Young all contributed to a formidable pass rush, accumulating nine total sacks over the team's back-to-back wins.

Following their victory over the Bucs, the 49ers monitored the final moments of the Rams' home game against the Seahawks. With the Seahawks' loss, the 49ers now hold sole possession of first place in the NFC West at 7-3, setting the stage for a Thanksgiving primetime game with the Seahawks in Seattle on a short week.

(Charvarius Ward makes a perfect pass break up)