49ers of Week 15: QB Brock Purdy & DE Nick Bosa

After clinching the NFC West Thursday night, this week’s player of the game is going to be a little different for the  49ers. Becoming the first team to secure a playoff spot this season, San Francisco will have two players represented for their outstanding efforts today: Quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive end Nick Bosa.

First Mr. Irrelevant.

Since coming in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, Purdy had been lights out, showcasing moxie and poise that doesn’t come along often with rookies. A four-year starter at Iowa State, the former Cyclone gunslinger has quickly become one of the nation’s biggest stories with his team currently on a seven-game winning streak.

The defense is the backbone of the organization this year, there’s no question about that, but “BP13” is also responsible for the team’s run, earning the respect of those around him in the process.

“He’s definitely the most poised rookie I’ve ever had,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said postgame Thursday. “He was poised all week, even being unsure if he’d be able to go. We didn’t have any options or choices. He got comfortable and better as game went. It was pretty unbelievable…They [the team] had a lot of respect for him before that game, but they got a lot more now.”

Through two starts, the QB is undefeated, sporting 402 passing yards, five total touchdowns and no interceptions. Combine that with the Miami showing and Purdy has 612 yards, six total TDs and only one INT.

More impressive, the 22-year-old played through an oblique/rib injury in Seattle, one that kept him away from throwing the football in practice during the week. Not showing any real hindrances in the game, the rook is among the toughest on the team, earning even more respect from his counterparts.

“I couldn’t even tell he was hurting… To not show any pain in his face or mannerisms or anything shows a lot about who he is.”

Nick Bosa impressed with Brock Purdy’s toughness pic.twitter.com/VpC1V8npnR

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 16, 2022

He hasn’t been perfect by any stretch of the imagination and he will make some mistakes along the way. But if Purdy can do a Garoppolo-like performance (while throwing in his own flair and mobility), the 49ers are in good hands heading into January and the offseason.

Now for the Bosa Bear.

The 49ers’ pass rusher has picked up right where he left off in 2021, reaching his single-season high of 15.5 sacks by Week 15. Bosa almost broke his record early in the third quarter if not for a highly-questionable roughing-the-passer call. Despite the light penalty that derailed the 49ers’ momentum, the pass rusher understood why the official threw the flag.

“It was the right call with what they’ve been calling lately,” Bosa said postgame. “Kinda lost my head there and unfortunately hurt my team.”

He still made history Thursday night, becoming just the fifth player since 1982 to record at least 15 sacks in two of his first four NFL seasons.

Sack Leaders heading into Week 16:

1. Nick Bosa – 15.5
2. Matthew Judon – 14.5
3. Myles Garrett – 13.5 pic.twitter.com/OjI75nPyDn

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 19, 2022

Nick Bosa now leads the NFL in sacks, pressures, QB hits and penalties drawn through 13 games played (he missed Week 6 due to injury). He is also in the top three of pass-rushing productivity and win rate this season.

#49ers’ DVOA Profile Since Week 8:

Total DVOA: #1
Offense DVOA: #1
Defense DVOA: #1
Special Teams DVOA: #7

The gap between #1 and #2 (PHI) is the same as the gap between #2 and #12.

— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) December 19, 2022

Being the best player on the best defense in the league speaks volumes. Don’t be surprised to see the 25-year-old native Floridan up on the podium accepting the defensive player of the year award come Super Bowl week.

Follow @AmilianoFragoso

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