For unbeaten 49ers, Arizona Cardinals are next

Mr. Irrelevant, indeed. What does it matter what Brock Purdy is called? He continues to confuse the experts and to keep winning games.

 The Niners, winners of their first two games this very young season, host the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at Levi Stadium. And while you understand that nobody in the NFL has gone undefeated for more than 50 years (yes, those 1972 Dolphins), it’s doubtful San Francisco will lose this one.

Particularly the way Purdy has played the first two weeks.

As you remember, Purdy was the surprising final selection of the 2022 NFL draft, earning the “Mr. Irrelevant” label and perhaps making some people in pro football wonder why he was selected.

Now some may be wondering why he wasn’t selected earlier. 

Purdy was close to perfection last Sunday in the Niners 35-13 win over a young Dolphins squad that is about as far from perfection as imaginable. Of the 22 passes he threw, only 2 went uncompleted, and he had a streak of 18 straight completions. Even against a rebuilding team, that figure cannot be disregarded.

“Hell of a job,” Niners coach Kyle Shanahan told his players in the winning locker room. “I believe we have a really good team and that’s what good teams should do.”

The 49ers scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, something no Niner team had done in 40 years.

Shanahan credited the defense too, even with a late breakdown. 

“I know they moved it on us, but we kept them out of the end zone all game till the very end there,” he said. “Lots we can do better, but lots of good stuff too to be proud of.”

Probably things Purdy can do better also, but it is hard to find fault with a man who completes 20 of 22 for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also scored on a 2-yard run. Not surprisingly Purdy had help. Christian McCaffrey had 23 yards rushing, and 43 receiving. He scored twice. Although Purdy is in his fifth season, he continues to learn what he can do and others can do. He’s worked on accuracy.

“For myself,” he said, “I gotta watch that film, learn from it, get out of practice and rep it, rep it, rep it to build that confidence again that hey, we can hit those shots and those opportunities.”

“It’s something that you know you learn from but not dwell on and let it affect your game moving forward,” Purdy said. “My pre and post routine of throwing has allowed my arm to get stronger just in general.”

Sounding very much like a man experienced in the ways of pro football, Purdy reminded himself and his teammates not to get complacent.

“Let’s watch the film,” the quarterback said. “Be hard on ourselves. We’ve got high standards here, but everyone, man, complementary football. That’s how it is; that’s what we do to teams.”