Brock Purdy excited for ‘playoff football’ in 49ers-Packers rivalry

Jan 17, 2024, 5:15 PM | Updated: Jan 18, 2024, 8:24 am

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a 5-yard touchdown during the game against th...

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It’s been almost a year since Brock Purdy’s inaugural stint in the postseason came to a sudden end. Now in his second year in the NFL, Purdy is antsy as ever to pick up where he left off.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is hungry to start the playoffs, first reflecting on what last year’s journey taught him.

Purdy started three games in the 2023 postseason, putting up 569 passing yards and four total touchdowns before suffering a torn UCL against the Philadelphia Eagles. But while the young gunslinger didn’t show that the moment was too big for him, he remembers the tension being palpable, especially against the Seattle Seahawks on wild-card weekend.

“Yeah, the first game was a little bit tense, just in terms of every play mattered, not trying to turn the ball over,” Brock Purdy reflected on Wednesday. “But at the same time, you know, making plays, doing what it takes to win. Those were things I sort of had to learn. And watching the film you get back into that, that feeling of last year and the first time in a playoff game. It’s sort of good to remember those kinds of things moving forward, sort of understanding what to expect for the first playoff game this year for me.”

Purdy explains how his mindset is "different" heading into this postseason compared to last 🔽 pic.twitter.com/cnIovyASNf

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Purdy and the Red & Gold have a tough task to open their 2024 slate, hosting the red-hot Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

The 49ers and Packers have a deep history in the NFC playoffs, last meeting in 2021. The former won that contest in Lambeau Field on a last-second field goal, 13-10.

That, and the team’s blocked punt, is what Purdy remembers from that game, taking it in from Iowa State’s campus. This time around is expected to be another tight matchup, with two young gunslingers eager to prove their worth in the NFL.

“Just the history of these two organizations and the playoff games and stuff. It’s pretty cool to say that I get to play in that game. So, I’m excited for it,” Purdy stated.

Brock Purdy and the 49ers began preparation for the Packers during the second half of their dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. And what the 49ers’ QB saw on film, especially from their secondary, was a confident playoff opponent.

So records and playoff seedings be damned, the 49ers aren’t taking their long-time conference rival lightly.

“I think there were just some really good plays made by their [defensive backs],” Purdy said. “It looks like it’s playoff football, man. They’re aggressive in what they’re doing, and when they see an opportunity, they’re willing to be aggressive and take it. So, those are all things I think we have to take account of. For myself, obviously with the ball in my hands every play. [They have] guys that can make plays and I have to understand that, it’s going to be a really good challenge.”