Brock Purdy Takes Control of MVP Race as 49ers rout Cardinals 45-29

Liam O'Connor

December 18 2023

(Brock Purdy throws a slant throw with pressure up the middle)

In a return to his hometown, Brock Purdy showcased lead the San Francisco 49ers to a victory over the Cardinals and secured their NFC West title for the second straight season. Purdy's stellar performance, marked by four touchdown throws, has positioned himself as the number one contender for the NFL MVP title.

Purdy played a pivotal role in the game's narrative. The early moments saw the Cardinals take the lead, with Kyler Murray connecting with Trey McBride for significant yards, and ending in a James Conner touchdown. However, Purdy responded, orchestrating a touchdown drive that showcased his connection with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, along with contributions from Christian McCaffrey.

The 49ers' defense surged, with Charvarius Ward intercepting Murray for a 66-yard pick-six, putting San Francisco ahead 14-7.

Despite the Cardinals' efforts, the 49ers maintained control, with Purdy creating a 10-play drive that concluded with another touchdown, making it 21-13 at halftime.

The second half witnessed Purdy's continued brilliance. A quick four-play drive resulted in a 41-yard bomb to McCaffrey, extending the 49ers' lead to 28-13. Although the Cardinals responded with field goals, Purdy remained unfazed, connecting with Aiyuk for a crucial 22-yard gain and guiding McCaffrey to another touchdown.

The final score stood at 45-29, solidifying the 49ers' hold on the NFC West for the second consecutive year. Purdy's impressive stats of 242 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 135.3 passer rating further fueled his MVP candidacy.

With only three weeks left in the regular season, Purdy finds himself as the frontrunner for the 2023 NFL MVP title. As the 49ers prepare for upcoming matchups, including a Monday Night Football clash with the Baltimore Ravens, all eyes remain on Purdy and his exceptional contributions to the team's success.

The game agaisnt the Ravens on Christmas will showcase the only 11-3 teams in the league and the respective number one seeded teams in their conference.

With the Eagles loss to the Seahawks tonight, the 49ers are now 1 game ahead of Detroit, Philadelphia, and Dallas in the race for a first round bye.

(Running Back Christian McCafferey celebrates a touchdown)