49ers’ Purdy becomes first NFL QB in 30 years to achieve rare feat

Brock Purdy orchestrated a remarkable comeback in the NFL playoffs, leading the 49ers to a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Detroit Lions. Down by 17 points at halftime, Purdy’s second-half heroics included 13-of-16 passes for 174 yards, a touchdown, and a 132.8 passer rating. He also showcased his mobility with 49 rushing yards, averaging over 10 yards per carry. According to OptaSTATS, Purdy’s performance is historic, making him the first NFL quarterback in the last 30 years to achieve such a stat line in a single half.

In the second half tonight, the @49ers’ Brock Purdy: – threw for 150+ yards
– Rushed for 45+ yards
– Completed 80% of his passes
– Averaged 10.0+ yards per rush
– Had 0 turnovers

No other NFL QB in the last 30 years has done all of that in a single half (reg or post).

Following an impressive comeback victory, Purdy explained to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco how the 49ers adjusted their mindset after halftime in NFL terms.

“It’s tough, obviously, being down like that, season is on the line, but for all of us, it was like … we still have a whole half to play,” Purdy told Maiocco. “So we went to the locker room like, we’ve got to take advantage of every single drive, no hiccups or anything. Defense, do your job. Offense, put up points. We needed momentum, and we found a way to do that. …

“I think we all felt it, like, all right, this is it. We have to do something; we have to step up. There’s nothing that’s going to be given to us — we have to go and take it, and so we all felt it … We knew it was going to be a tight game all the way to the end. And sure enough, we found a way.”

Purdy showcased his improvisational skills with his legs during the 49ers’ remarkable NFC title game comeback. The second-year quarterback made a pivotal third-down conversion with a 21-yard scramble in the late fourth quarter.

The 24-year-old quarterback’s bold choice to target downfield resulted in a remarkable 51-yard reception by wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, now a legendary moment in 49ers postseason history.

In back-to-back playoff matchups, Purdy led the charge for San Francisco, overcoming second-half deficits and setting the stage for a potential redemption against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.