49ERS NEWS:For his second try, Brock Purdy hopes to build on his playoff experience from the previous year…

49ERS NEWS:For his second try, Brock Purdy hopes to build on his playoff experience from the previous year…

California's Santa Clara (AP) - Brock Purdy, a seventh-round rookie with only a few games under his belt last season, recalls the anxiety he had as he took the field for the first time in the playoffs.

When the San Francisco 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers in a divisional round game on Saturday night, Purdy will make his second playoff appearance in his short career.

When an injury ended his season on his first attempt, Purdy aims to use the knowledge from last year to help him play even better.

“This year, being more familiar with the offence, who I am and all that, it´s a little different,” he said on Wednesday. It’s beneficial to revisit last year’s games and relive the thrill and emotions of participating in a postseason match. It’s excellent. For me as a quarterback, it’s critical to revisit those times and relive the experience.”

Last year, after Purdy’s impressive 332 yard and three touchdown pass in a wild-card win over Seattle and his effective, turnover-free performance the following week in a divisional round victory over Dallas, the team was feeling very good.

But on the first drive of the game, Purdy took a nasty hit on his throwing arm from Haason Reddick, and things went south in Philadelphia the following week.

The strike effectively destroyed San Francisco’s aspirations and caused a ruptured ligament in his elbow. Josh Johnson, the fourth-string quarterback, departed the game with a concussion and was unable to pass the ball more than a few yards, forcing Purdy to enter the game again in the second half.

Following Purdy’s offseason surgery, months of recuperation, and a tonne of concerns about whether the injury would hinder him going forward or whether his first-year performance was a fluke, San Francisco lost 31–7 as a result.

“This year has flown by,” he said. “We seem to have been in Philadelphia in the playoffs not too long ago. It’s gone quickly.”

After proving his naysayers wrong, Purdy is now prepared for another postseason run with, perhaps, a nicer conclusion.

He became the first quarterback for the Niners in almost 20 years to pass for at least 30 touchdowns (31) or more than 4,000 yards (4,280 yards). With a passer rating of 113, he was the NFL’s top quarterback. His 9.6 yards per attempt were also the most for a qualified quarterback since Kurt Warner’s 9.9 in 2000.

“I believe it would be inequitable to Brock Purdy and his playstyle since his arrival to suggest that he is simply performing well because he surrounds himself with excellent players,” said Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator for the Packers. “Having outstanding players certainly helps, but every successful offence must immediately consider its triggerman. When it comes to efficiency, you speak about how amazing the efficiency has been since he took charge of the huddle on his first play.”

Purdy made very few mistakes this season, but one did occur on a significant occasion towards the end of the campaign when San Francisco and Baltimore squared off in anJosh Johnson,playoff game on Christmas night.

During the first drive, Purdy pushed a throw into coverage in the end zone, which resulted in an interception. He later stated that the excitement of the game got to him early. That game, he threw three more interceptions, and the 49ers fell short, 33-19.

Although Purdy claimed to have learnt from the incident, the Packers think they also saw a chance for defensive success.

Devonte Wyatt, the defensive tackle, said, “Just got to get pressure on him, know what I’m saying.” “He’s throwing that ball off-rhythm when he applies pressure.” I saw it on film quite a bit. He is continually throwing off, throwing it behind them, overthrowing it, or making it short when D-linemen just put pressure on him. There will be several picks or similar items. Thus, it is certain that we would see a turnover if you put pressure on him.”

Notably, DE Clelin Ferrell’s knee injury this week has kept the Niners’ active roster down to one player, who missed practice on Wednesday. S Logan Ryan (groyne) and LB Dre Greenlaw (achilles) had limited comebacks. DT Arik Armstead (knee, foot) and S George Odum (biceps) returned to full participation after their Tuesday limitations.

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