Brock Purdy, 49ers running circles around Tom Brady, Buccaneers

The best expectations for Brock Purdy in his first NFL start against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers are being surpassed in a big fashion with the 49ers up big.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has dominated opposing quarterbacks making their first NFL starts.

The problem? No one told that to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

Purdy, getting his first start after entering in relief for the injured signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo a week ago, couldn’t have felt more possible pressure in having to square up opposite Brady. And while the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft could take some comfort knowing Brady and the Bucs offense haven’t exactly been stellar this season, it was still going to be a massive challenge filling Garoppolo’s shoes.

Particularly against Brady.

Through the first two quarters of Sunday’s action between San Francisco and Tampa Bay, though, it’s been Purdy and not Brady impressing the most.

Brock Purdy helps 49ers get out to a 21-0 lead over Tom Brady, Buccaneers

The 49ers scored on the opening drive of the game with one of the patented end-around rushes by wide receiver Deebo Samuel to make it 7-0.

However, Purdy would call his own number on the Niners’ next score, rushing it in for a 2-yard score on the first play of the second quarter, marking the former Iowa State signal-caller’s first rushing touchdown of his NFL career:

With Brady and the Buccaneers struggling to do much of anything in response, the focus of the game centered less on the GOAT and much more on the fresh-faced rookie.

Particularly when he made off-script plays like this:

However, the craziest play that got the entire fanbase at Levi’s Stadium to shout out, “Purdy! Purdy! Purdy!” was a long touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey:

Read More: 49ers vs. Bucs: Experts predict Brock Purdy beats Tom Brady

The 27-yard score went to the officials for what turned into a lengthy review, although the ruling on the field was upheld.

Just like that, Purdy’s first half ultimately ended up looking pretty good.

San Francisco is up 21-0 still heading into the waning minutes of the second half, but it’s safe to say Purdy has made an impression that’ll stand for a long, long time.