For a while there on Saturday night, things were not looking good for the San Francisco 49ers. The team trailed 21-17 late in the game against the Green Bay Packers, and the offense had struggled all night to find rhythm during the rain-soaked Divisional Playoff contest.
Quarterback Brock Purdy came up big in one final offensive effort, completing six of his seven passes during a game-winning drive that culminated with a six-yard touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco survived to play another day and will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
"They escaped with a win," former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said Sunday during ESPN's "Postseason NFL Countdown" show. "I mean, they did not look themselves. The combination, I think, of losing [WR] Deebo [Samuel] early and then the weather. Brock Purdy, I mean, I struggled to throw it in the rain, and to see [Saturday] night, it was pouring pre-game.
"He started the game with a glove. He never seemed like himself, never seemed comfortable with his grip throughout the game. And for them to survive and win this game, the final drive was probably his best drive. And it kind of let up finally, and he made some really nice throws, but all night seemed off, and kind of lucky that a couple of throws didn't get picked.
"So really, I think, if you're the Niners, this Packer team was red-hot, and you somehow escaped with a win, and you're on, so a sigh of relief."
Following the 24-21 victory, Purdy discussed his struggle with the elements during the game.
"Early on, obviously, I put on the glove for the first drive," Purdy explained. "It was coming down, and then it sprinkled, so I took it off. So I was still trying to sort of figure out what I wanted to do, and I was sort of fed up with the glove, so I just obviously was throwing like I normally do.
"Yeah, there were some times where I'm dropping back, ball's a little wet from the grass, and sort of affected some accuracy and stuff. But, dude, that's football, so I got to be better in that area."
At one point, the FOX broadcast captured Purdy attempting to dry his hand in the middle of a dropback.
wild pic.twitter.com/dIrJgVMNrE
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 21, 2024
"He never had confidence, and that's why the balls are sailing on him," commented ESPN analyst Rex Ryan in reaction to the video. "He was short on a lot of throws. I've just never seen it. You're right, they escaped."
The game serves as a learning experience for the 24-year-old second-year quarterback, who once again has the 49ers on the doorstep of a Super Bowl appearance.