Proving resilience, Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers brushed off a 16-day break from the preseason to the 2023 NFL regular-season opener, delivering a commanding Week 1 road victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Building on their success, a strategic bye week earlier in the season fueled a remarkable Week 10 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As the 49ers gear up for the NFL playoffs, Purdy finds himself in the midst of a three-week hiatus, anticipation building for their postseason opener scheduled at Levi’s Stadium on either Saturday, Jan. 20, or Sunday, Jan. 21.
Reflecting on the grueling nature of the NFL season, Brock Purdy emphasized the toll of the 18-week physical battle. Speaking on an upcoming episode of “49ers Talk,” Purdy highlighted the significance of the rest received in the previous week and the ongoing bye week for both him and the entire team.
Securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed before the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, Purdy, given the luxury, didn’t suit up for the game. Instead, he dedicated 4 1/2 hours before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium to an extensive workout on the practice field. With practice squad receivers running routes, Purdy aimed to maintain his sharpness, further honing his skills after a record-setting regular season.
Brock Purdy, the standout 49ers quarterback, discusses his strategy for maintaining peak performance during the playoffs in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area on ’49ers Talk.’ Despite concerns about the rest versus rust conundrum during the 16-day break from the final preseason game to the 2023 NFL regular-season opener, Purdy led the 49ers to a Week 1 road win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The impact of a well-timed bye week earlier in the season was evident in the 49ers’ Week 10 road triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, with three weeks between games as the 49ers prepare for the playoff opener at Levi’s Stadium, Purdy emphasizes the importance of the team’s rest.
Having already secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Purdy opted to rest during the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite not suiting up for the game, he dedicated substantial time to a pre-game workout at Levi’s Stadium, ensuring he remains sharp for the upcoming playoff challenge.
Addressing the rest versus rust component, Purdy emphasizes the mental aspect of the game, acknowledging the need for sharp decision-making and game-speed awareness. Reflecting on his previous performances after extended breaks, Purdy highlights his ability to come back strong, delivering crucial plays like the 8-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk in the season opener and a 13-yard touchdown pass after the bye week against the Jaguars.
Purdy underscores the importance of staying mentally focused during meetings and maintaining a deep understanding of the playbook to avoid a slow start after the playoff downtime. Confident in the team’s ability to stay sharp, Purdy emphasizes the importance of trust in the process as they embark on the playoff journey.
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