49ers QB Brock Purdy wins Rookie of Week 16, but that’s not on his mind with playoffs looming

After another successful day on the football field Christmas Eve, San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy was rewarded with his first individual accolade, but as always, that’s not his main focus.

Purdy was awarded the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his great play against the Washington Commanders. The Iowa State alum lit them up for 234 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 114.6 passer rating en route to a 37-20 win. He also made history Saturday afternoon, becoming only the second QB since 1950 to have two or more TDs and a 100-plus passer rating in the first three NFL starts.

The other gunslinger: Purdy’s childhood idol Dan Marino.

Although he grew up in Arizona, Purdy has been a Miami Dolphins fan his whole life, sporting the No. 13 jersey because of Marino. Not typically caught up in stats, the recently turned 23-year-old quarterback couldn’t help but smile when discussing it Thursday, taking a step back to reflect on the past month as the starting QB for the 49ers.

“I think it’s pretty cool. You know, I’m not big on stats and all that kind of stuff, but when it’s Dan Marino man, that’s pretty cool,” Brock Purdy said with a smile Thursday. “I mean, my dad grew up a Miami Dolphins fan, and then we were all Dolphins fans growing up. And I wear 13 because of Dan Marino and everything. So to have that kind of stuff, I think it’s pretty cool to take a step back and be thankful and grateful for where you’re at.”

While it’s fun to look at the progress you’ve made, Purdy knows the season’s job is far being over.

Next up for the Red & Gold is the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that San Francisco knows very well from their days splitting the Bay Area west to east. Despite the Silver & Black’s disastrous season, the Raiders have playmakers on both sides of the ball that can cause nightmares for a young QB if not prepared.

“I think overall, [Raiders defensive end] Maxx Crosby is really good on the edge. So whenever they have a player like that, that you have to focus on, you do a lot of different things that you can sometimes slip you up and not be ready for, in terms of what they do with their secondary and linebackers and whatnot. I think they’re talented across the board,” Purdy stated.

Purdy details how he learned to "turn the page" on mistakes during the latter part of his college career pic.twitter.com/wn4FNHc9Rl

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 29, 2022

Coming off only his second interception of his NFL career in Week 16, it can be easy for Purdy to slip up in a big spot on the road. Las Vegas has a narrow chance at making the playoffs, while San Francisco is pretty much guaranteed a top three-seed in the NFC.

Despite the obvious “trap game” scenario they’re facing, the 49ers are more-so focused on themselves improving with each snap. Instead of feeling the pressure, they see it as an opportunity to get better. A philosophy that Brock Purdy has embraced since his high school days in Gilbert, AZ.

“But for us, we’re just focusing on what we have to do to get better and get ready for this week and work on little things and having some details that we’re working on. So it’s going to be a really good challenge for us, going into a really good environment, and they got a solid team all around,” Purdy said.

49ers Thursday Practice Report

DNP:

QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot)

DL Kevin Givens (knee)

CB Ambry Thomas (illness)

Limited:

DL Arik Armstead (foot)

DL Kerry Hyder (ankle)

DT Javon Kinlaw (knee)

RB Jordan Mason (hamstring)

RB Christian McCaffrey (knee)

WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee)

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