Niners Nation
Brock Purdy, slinging and dancing, makes anything possible for these 49ers (paywall)
“As soon as the expectations rose for the 49ers, and the stakes escalated, Purdy ascended with them. The season got real, transforming from a surprising feel-good story to a real chance to put themselves in the driver’s seat. The 49ers stared at a critical three-game slate to close the season and lock up the No. 1 seed. In the first two games, Purdy threw eight touchdown passes and ran in another two while orchestrating 90 points.
That the 49ers find themselves here, a home win from never having to leave Levi’s Stadium, which will also host the Super Bowl, still feels like the work of a script writer. If they do end up atop the NFC, which has never felt more real than right now, it will be because the best of Purdy made the difference. His playmaking can belittle his limitations. His scrambling and gunslinging infuse audacity into the 49ers’ offense. His playmaking creates opportunity where structure ends.
Purdy can be saddled by his lows sometimes. But his highs are high enough to shift the balance of the Conference. The best of Purdy can get the 49ers to a Super Bowl. He can win it. That’s how good he can be.
Need a reason to believe the 49ers are real? You just watched it. Again.
The Bears, one of the best teams in the NFC, became the first team in NFL history to lose a game when scoring at least 35 points, including a defensive touchdown, while committing no turnovers and allowing no sacks. Because they couldn’t stop Purdy.“
49ers’ suddenly red-hot run game flourishes without George Kittle or Trent Williams (paywall)
“Pleasants, who had bounced among various teams’ practice squads since 2020, was the point man on a lot of those runs. In fact, if you had tuned in late and missed Williams’ exit, you might not know he was missing.
The 49ers signed Pleasants to their practice squad on Dec. 17, 2024, when injuries struck their offensive line. He played extensively in late-season losses to the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals and caught offensive line coach Chris Foerster’s eye in the process.
The team re-signed him in April and, due to injuries at tackle and Williams’ veteran status, he ended up getting a lot of snaps with the first-team offensive line in spring and summer practices. Teammates said the more Pleasants practiced, the more confident he became.
“And when you can play with confidence — you see what happens,” right tackle Colton McKivitz said. “If you can come in and be ready for your moment in Week 17 when the team needs you to go fight for the No. 1 seed, that’s huge. That speaks volumes to the guy he is and the character he has.”
“I’m just so proud of him because he’s been waiting a long time for his shot,” guard Dominic Puni said. “And it feels like he got it tonight.”
**[Kawakami:...
