Brock Purdy predictions for 49ers' Week 1 showdown vs. Jets

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL schedule is underway. The defending NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers, host the visiting New York Jets for a Monday Night Football showdown.

Quarterback Brock Purdy will suit up for his third year as he took over the reins mid-season in 2022.

From 2012 to 2016, San Francisco won five straight opening-season games with the last two (2015 and 2016) being blowouts. Since then, the 49ers have gone 3-4 in Week 1 games.

Both wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams have their contract disputes resolved. Rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall will miss the first four weeks following his near-tragic gunshot wound in an attempted robbery.

Despite Gang Green finishing with a record of 7-10 and missing the playoffs last year, the AFC East hopefuls fielded one of the league's best defenses one year ago. They were one of only five teams in the NFL to allow an average of less than 300 yards of total offense a game.

Purdy will be facing a Jets team that boasted the league's second-best passing defense a season ago. The former Iowa State Cyclone finished 2023 with 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The looming schedule looks daunting at times, as the Niners will face off against opposing secondaries that are known to disrupt passes and even pick them off at great success.

The Jets defense collected 17 interceptions and forced 10 fumbles, too.

Predicting how Brock Purdy fares vs. Jets defense

Last year, San Francisco saw a stretch where it lost three games in a row. During the losing streak, Purdy threw for just one touchdown in each of those contests while registering a total of five interceptions.

The Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals were all able to keep Purdy and the 49ers offense at bay as those teams each only surrendered 17 points each. San Francisco's season average was 29 points a game.

Purdy and the rest of the Niners offense will see a familiar face on the opposite side of the ball. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw now plays for the Jets after leaving San Francisco in free agency.

The Jets have players in their secondary such as cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed who are capable of defending passes. Veteran linebackers C.J. Moseley and Quincy Williams could also pressure Purdy into making mistakes, resulting in turnovers or missed opportunities to score.

The bold prediction here is that Purdy may struggle, at least early on. Aiyuk did not play during the preseason and Pearsall is not available. Running back Elijah Mitchell is also out for the year, elevating Jordan Mason to the backup behind last year's leading rusher, Christian McCaffrey.

During the 49ers' last three wins in Week 1, their offense has produced at least 30 points. This includes Purdy's performance on the road in Pittsburgh against the Steelers where the quarterback connected with Aiyuk twice in the first half.

The chances of Purdy making it out of this game without a turnover are low. Even with the various weapons he has, like tight end George Kittle and third-down favorite Jauan Jennings, the third-year pro may have to lean on McCaffrey to help move the chains and put points on the scoreboard.

If the 49ers are down by more than a score at halftime, it could be a symptom of Purdy having an off day. Head coach Kyle Shanahan will keep his star under center unless the game is out of reach at any point in the fourth quarter.

Final Prediction of Purdy's stat line: Below 60-percent completion rate, a pair of touchdowns and a pair interceptions while throwing for under 225 yards.

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