SANTA CLARA, Calf. — Brock Purdy didn't disappoint in his first playoff start, throwing for 332 yards, tossing 3 touchdowns and running for another as the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Seattle Seahawks 41-23 on Saturday in the NFC Wild Card.
Purdy is now 6-0 as the starter for San Francisco, who was thrusted into the role back on Dec. 4 when Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury.
Christian McCaffery finished with 15 carries for 119 yards on the day, including a 68-yard dash that set up his three-yard touchdown catch from Purdy to give the 49ers a 10-0 lead with 5:11 in the opening quarter.
But Seattle would make San Francisco fans uncomfortable in the second quarter, as Geno Smith would hit DK Metcalf for a 50-yard strike in front of the 49ers bench to take a 14-13 lead.
San Francisco would respond with a late drive that ran down the clock and set up Robbie Gould to convert a 46-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 16-14 lead with 13 seconds before halftime.
But a short squib kick and a personal foul hit on a sliding Smith allowed Seahawks' kick Jason Meyers to boot a 56-yard field goal and give Seattle a 17-16 lead at the break.
Purdy and the 49ers would march down the field on their opening possession of the second half and take the lead for good on a one-yard sneak from Purdy to take a 23-17 lead.
The 49ers would force a turnover on Seattle's next possession after the Seahwks drove all the way to the San Francisco 19. On third down, Charles Omenihu would sack Smith causing a fumble and Nick Bosa would recover the ball ending the scoring threat.
San Francisco capitalize on the turnover, driving 70 yards in just 7 plays with Purdy hitting Elijah Mitchell for a 7-yard pitch and catch for the touchdown. Purdy would hit George Kittle for the two-point conversion to stretch the lead out to 31-17 with 14:02 remaining in the game.
From that point on the Seahawks would not threaten the San Francisco lead.
Metcalf caught 10 balls for 136 yards for Seattle. Deebo Samuel finished with 133 yards receiving, including a 74-yard catch in the fourth quarter to put the game well in hand for the 49ers.
Seattle 0 17 0 6 = 23
San Francisco 10 6 7 18 = 41
First Quarter SF—Robbie Gould 34 field goal, 10:13. SF—Christian McCaffrey 3 pass from Brock Purdy (Robbie Gould kick), 5:11. Second Quarter SEA—Kenneth Walker III 7 run (Jason Myers kick), 13:14. SF—Robbie Gould 33 field goal, 7:41. SEA—DK Metcalf 50 pass from Geno Smith (Jason Myers kick), 5:01. SF—Robbie Gould 46 field goal, 0:13. SEA—Jason Myers Made 56 field goal, 0:00. Third Quarter SF—Brock Purdy 1 run (Robbie Gould kick), 7:15.
Fourth Quarter
SF—Elijah Mitchell 7 pass from Brock Purdy (Robbie Gould kick), 14:02.
SF—Deebo Samuel 74 pass from Brock Purdy (Robbie Gould kick), 10:51.
SF—Robbie Gould 31 field goal, 4:56.
SEA—DK Metcalf 3 pass from Geno Smith (Geno Smith pass fails), 1:48.
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