San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is having an all-time start to the season. Through three games, he has fully entrenched himself in the MVP conversation with historic levels of efficiency.
On Sunday, though, the Niners will host the Denver Broncos, who are also riding high after their comeback win against the Los Angeles Rams last week. Led by quarterback Bo Nix and a notoriously stingy defense, they present a legitimate threat to Purdy and his squad.
While every fan of the red and gold will be rooting for Purdy to continue his elite play, here are five reasons he could have his worst game of the season to date.
5. The wide receiver room is only getting worse
It's true that Purdy has been dealing with injured weapons all season (since prior to the season, actually), but things aren't getting any better. In fact, they may get much worse in Week 4.
As of Thursday, Mike Evans still hasn't returned to practice after suffering a rib injury against the Arizona Cardinals. If he were to miss, he would join Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk as absent pass catchers who were thought to factor heavily into the offense this season.
If that were the case, Purdy would be throwing to Deebo Samuel and recently signed Brandin Cooks out wide. Needless to say, it's not what anybody expected at the beginning of the year, but here we are. Cooks has been with the team for less than a week and just signed to the active roster on Thursday, so it would be difficult to believe that he and Purdy would have any resemblance of a connection through the air.
4. 49ers will face their first real pass block challenge
The 49ers' offensive line has been perfect so far this year - legitimately perfect. They are the only team yet to allow a sack, and they will look to keep their momentum rolling on Sunday.
Denver, however, will be a different sort of test. Each of the first three teams San Francisco has faced are currently in the bottom-seven in the league in sacks, and the Miami Dolphins are the only team that has none. Even the Rams attempted to put pressure on Brock Purdy with a hobbled Myles Garrett and no Aaron Donald.
The Broncos, on the other hand, have already gotten to opposing signal callers eight times, good for seventh in the league (tied with various other teams). Veteran edge rusher Zach Allen has three already, but five other Broncos have recorded a sack as well, so it'll be difficult to scheme against one player in particular. Chalk it up to impressive defensive play-calling by DC Vance Joseph.
3. Broncos are working with insider knowledge
Last year, the 49ers didn't play the Broncos. It's been nearly five years since the two teams last faced off, and just last year, Denver gained a massive advantage.
Former 49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga left San Francisco for the Mile High City. Greenlaw dealt with injuries all of last year and returned to the team that drafted him this summer, but Hufanga stayed around and is having a torrid start to the season. The fiery safety played four seasons in the Bay and likely has a breadth of knowledge that he can use to his advantage when facing off against his former teammates, namely Brock Purdy. Hopefully, Purdy has a few new tricks up his sleeve come Sunday.
2. Trent Williams isn't as healthy everyone thinks
Last week, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams was carted off the field with a shoulder injury. Fortunately, it was merely categorized as a stinger, and he should be able to suit up against Denver. However, if he is even remotely limited, it could present a huge problem for the pass protection unit. A hindered Trent Williams could cause a ripple effect throughout the entire O-line, as he is supposed to be the strongest and most effective of the bunch (save for maybe Dominick Puni).
Time will tell if he is truly good to go, but San Francisco will need him at full strength to protect their franchise quarterback.
1. Pat Surtain II will do Pat Surtain II things
It's bad enough the 49ers are struggling to find enough bodies to slot in at wide receiver. Now, whoever does line up outside will have to go up against one, if not the best lockdown corner in the league. Pat Surtain II is a beast. There is no way around it.
The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year has been locking down opposing alpha wideouts for six years now, and there is no end in sight. For reference, the last time these two teams faced off was back in 2022. Then-X receiver Brandon Aiyuk caught just three passes for 39 yards. Surtain has enjoyed a string of dominance that extends far beyond just that game. In short, he is a quarterback's worst nightmare.
Add us as a preferred source on Google