5 players who could cost 49ers horribly in 2024 NFL playoffs

No. 5: Quarterback Brock Purdy

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy may seem like a strange name to include on this list, but a quarterback can always cost a team in the playoffs.

We haven’t seen too many games where Brock Purdy deserves the lion’s share of the blame for a loss. Perhaps the closest was the four-interception Christmas contest against the Baltimore Ravens.

But, most of the time, Purdy has played solid for the 49ers and has not made big mistakes that cost the team a victory. Last season in the playoffs, while he looked a little shaky and out of his element at times, ultimately, he protected the football and did not lose the game.

Now, Purdy has more experience and confidence under his belt, which means that head coach Kyle Shanahan trusts him more and will likely be willing to allow Purdy to let it rip more this postseason. We have seen Purdy make great plays when he improvises and scrambles and takes shots deep, but that can also be a recipe for disaster.

Especially against teams in the postseason.

The bright side is that Purdy will likely not have to win a game on his own. He has so many talented skill players around him that the burden should not have to be on his right arm alone.

But if teams are successful at stopping the run game against the 49ers, no small feat with Christian McCaffrey at running back, then the 49ers may be forced into a situation where they have to pass more, and one Purdy mistake could be the difference in a tight contest.

We can only hope that none of these players ends up costing the 49ers and that they win their next three potential games to reach their ultimate goal.

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