INGLEWOOD — The 49ers found a way to leave Los Angeles with a 30-23 win over the Rams, but there were definitely pass attempts that quarterback Brock Purdy would like to have back.
Uncharacteristically, the second-year play-caller overthrew wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings each on separate occasions Sunday. Purdy will think about all three misses for a while.
“Yeah, probably a lot,” Purdy said after the game. “I just knocked them over. That one to BA, that one to Deeb and then JJ on third down. Those are on me. I have to be better, hit them in the step and not knock them down. So easy.”
Most importantly, Purdy and the 49ers offense found ways to score points and secure an important NFC West division win. Purdy continues to build chemistry with his receivers, however, he will have a short week of practice before the Week 3 matchup with the New York Giants on “Thursday Night Football.”
“We have four days to prepare for the next game,” Purdy said. “In my eyes, there were a couple of opportunities that I missed. As for the deep ball and such. But we found a way to win.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan had a diplomatic response to his quarterback’s mistakes. While he’d rather see Purdy connect with his receivers, he understood why the plays weren’t flowing, but reiterated how he wants Purdy to “let it rip.”
“Everybody was rough,” Shanahan said. “That Aiyuk was probably his hardest as the number one read and sailed. He went all the way overboard on Deebo, he had a really hard read and you’d love to hit it, but he just missed.
“The one for Jennings didn’t bother me much. I was a little surprised that the ball went there. Everyone else was covered and you just want to play.”
Shanahan was quick to point out that the most important aspect of Purdy’s performance was ball security. The lack of offensive turnovers and two 49ers’ defense clearly tipped the scale in San Francisco’s favor. Shanahan was pleased with his quarterback’s decision-making.
With Purdy recently recovering from a torn UCL, there were of course questions ahead of the 2023 season about how his March surgery would affect his arm strength and accuracy this season. Purdy believes his mistakes had nothing to do with his previous injury.
“No, I don’t think so,” Purdy said. “We’ve been passing these deep balls in practice and everything. It’s just a matter of when the bullets are flying, being able to make an accurate throw and not overshoot them. Don’t underestimate them, but be there.
“That’s what you have to do as an NFL quarterback and I take it upon myself.
Purdy and the 49ers offense have just a few days to work on their deep passing game before Thursday’s home opener at Levi’s Stadium.
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