After being emphatically outdueled by Lamar Jackson on Christmas Day, Brock Purdy will be expected to prevail in his latest quarterback battle as the San Francisco 49ers face the Washington Commanders on New Year's Eve. 

But it isn't clear which Commanders quarterback Purdy will be looking to outperform.

It was confirmed this week that Jacoby Brissett would take over Sam Howell after impressing when replacing him in each of the Commanders last two games.

However, Brissett was added to the Commanders' injury report on Friday with a hamstring injury suffered in practice. Brissett is listed as questionable.

If Brissett cannot play, then Howell will be the starter for Washington.

While Brissett's experience would appear to make him an upgrade on Howell, the 49er defensive front would relish facing a quarterback with a bad hamstring.

Similarly, however, the San Francisco defense would be excited at the prospect of taking on Howell, who for all his playmaking ability has consistently been punished for holding onto the ball and trying to do too much. Howell leads NFL quarterbacks in both interceptions (17) and sacks (60).

With Brissett hurt, there are no good options for the Commanders offense against the San Francisco defense. The 49ers are on paper in an excellent position to bounce back from their primetime Week 16 letdown against the Baltimore Ravens, and they have no excuse not to take advantage of the opportunity to get back on track in their bid to claim the one seed in the NFC.

Brock Purdy explains his surprising reaction to watching 49ers-Ravens tape

Not what you normally hear about a four-interception game.