MIAMI (AFP) — Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers into the divisional round of the National Football League playoffs with a stellar second-half performance in Saturday’s 41-23 wildcard round win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Purdy, who only took on the starting role last month after injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, became the first rookie quarterback with three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in a playoff game.
Putting any early nerves aside, Purdy threw for 332 yards and no interceptions while running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 119 yards.
“We are taking it one day at a time but we have got a goal of winning the whole thing, we are in tournament play so anything can happen,” Purdy told Fox television.
“I have got such a great team, offensive line, defense, receivers, across the board, it is not a one-man show,” he added.
The 49ers made a strong start, opening up a 10-0 lead when the powerful McCaffrey, rushed three yards into the end zone to finish off a drive that had seen him produce a blistering 68-yard run.