Brock Purdy's deep-ball prowess set for underrated test from Cardinals
While so much of the San Francisco 49ers' success on offense is a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's ability to scheme his litany of weapons into open space, there is no doubt that in Brock Purdy they have a quarterback with traits that elevate upside of the attack. Purdy's additional playmaking ability was evident […]
While so much of the San Francisco 49ers' success on offense is a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's ability to scheme his litany of weapons into open space, there is no doubt that in Brock Purdy they have a quarterback with traits that elevate upside of the attack.
Purdy's additional playmaking ability was evident from the jump when he took over from an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13 last season, but in 2023, Purdy has established himself as the top quarterback in the NFL in an area of the game few considered a strength.
There were signs of his ability to thrive as an aggressive quarterback pushing the ball downfield last year. Purdy ended 2022 first among quarterbacks with at least 50 pass attempts in positive play rate on throws past the sticks. Per Sports Info Solutions, 65.7 percent of his throws beyond the first-down marker resulted in positive Expected Points Added.
Yet nobody would have predicted his deep ball becoming such a devastating weapon in his first full season as the starter. Entering Week 15, no quarterback had more completions (61) or touchdowns (11) of 20 yards or more.
Purdy (65.9%) also led the league in completion percentage on throws of 20 or more air yards, the Niners' signal-caller nearly nine percentage points better than his closest rival, C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans (57.1%).
Houston was the only offense in the NFL with as many explosive pass plays entering this weekend. However, the 49ers might find explosives harder to come by as Purdy makes his homecoming against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15.
The odds appear to be stacked in the 49ers' favor against the 3-10 Cardinals, but Arizona is in the top half of the league when it comes to preventing explosives.
As of Week 14, Arizona had allowed 45 passing plays of 20 yards or more, tied for 14th in the NFL.
As such Jonathan Gannon's defense may provide a sterner test of Purdy's deep-ball prowess than many anticipate.
Purdy said of his deep ball this week: "I feel like I’ve always been efficient with the quick game, the intermediate game, all that kind of stuff. But when it comes to pushing the ball down field, sort of just understanding what we’re trying to do as an offense and once we get those kinds of opportunities, being aggressive and letting it rip.
"I feel like right now, probably, out of all the years I’ve been playing football, this has probably been the best in terms of pushing the ball downfield and being efficient in that area, not just throwing it up in hopes for someone to grab it, but being efficient when I take my shots. I feel like it is probably the best that I’ve been throwing the ball right now."
The numbers back up Purdy's assessment of his own performance but, as head coach Kyle Shanahan has warned all week, nothing is given for the 49ers in a game in which they can clinch the NFC West. Purdy has been on fire with the deep ball, but there is no guarantee the hot streak will continue in an underrated test for San Francisco.
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Hopefully it’s a wise decision.
