Every week, opposing teams try to figure out how to game-plan for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, but every strategy has failed so far.
From QB rating to QBR to touchdown passes to yards per attempt, Brock Purdy tops all NFL quarterbacks in nearly every key measure. Except for completion %, where he trails Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa.
Despite teams attempting to confuse Purdy with every imaginable blitz package and coverage deception, the second-year pro deciphers it swiftly and frequently makes the defense pay dearly for their efforts.
Yet, on Sunday, Arizona Cardinals’ first-year defensive coordinator Nick Rallis tried something against Brock Purdy that had never been done before in his early NFL career.
Brock Purdy versus the blitz
Rallis came to Arizona alongside first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon after working as the Philadelphia Eagles’ linebackers coach under Gannon, who was also the defensive coordinator.
In terms of tactics versus Purdy, Rallis should have known better than to go overly aggressive with blitzes – unless he wanted to get badly burnt. He’s well aware of the numbers working in Purdy’s favor, and he’s seen Purdy execute against the blitz on film.
Check out Purdy’s stats versus the blitz for reference.
The Cardinals’ treatment of Brock Purdy
So, rather than going all out with blitzes, Rallis did the reverse — he ordered zero blitzes.
The Cardinals deployed no more than four pass rushers at a time whenever Brock Purdy dropped back to pass.
No club has ever tried that before, and Rallis deserves credit for his attempts to offer Purdy a new defensive appearance. Purdy, unfortunately for Rallis and the Cardinals, did not appear to be duped.
In the 49ers’ 45-29 victory, he completed 16-of-25 throws for 242 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Furthermore, the Cardinals failed to sack Purdy, despite the fact that he was hit in the head in the second quarter and had to leave the field temporarily to get checked out in the blue medical tent.
Purdy was replaced for three plays by backup Sam Darnold before returning to the field and throwing his second touchdown pass of the first half to Christian McCaffrey.
Brock Purdy makes smart decisions, doesn’t turn the ball over, doesn’t get happy feet in the pocket, and delivers the ball to his playmakers on time and with accuracy, allowing them to do the rest with a quarterbacking IQ that belies his status as the last pick in the NFL draft in 2022.
Brock Purdy will face a greater struggle.
In comparison to the Arizona Cardinals, Brock Purdy will face an even greater challenge on Christmas Day, when the 49ers play the Baltimore Ravens in a game that could serve as a preview for the Super Bowl.
The Ravens have the strongest defense in the NFL, according to the statistics. So, if any team can think of a way to stop Brock Purdy, it could be the Ravens.
Purdy will be squaring off against Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, a former NFL MVP who is having another outstanding season guiding the AFC’s top team.
But, for the time being, whether you blitz him or not, Brock Purdy is the frontrunner to win the NFL MVP award.
