Much has rightly been made of the speed with which Brock Purdy has adapted to life as a starting quarterback for the 49ers and, more recently, his success in overcoming adversity for the first time since ascending to that role in San Francisco’s 37-34 overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17.
Purdy led the 49ers back from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and also led what would have been a game-winning drive at the end of regulation as he calmly — at least for the first three completions — connected with Brandon Aiyuk four times for 52 yards to set Robbie Gould up for a game-winning field goal that was pushed wide right. A Tashaun Gipson interception in overtime afforded Gould a chip shot, with which he redeemed himself.
Yet as Kyle Shanahan seemingly gains increasing support for the Coach of the Year award for the manner in which he has guided the Niners through a season in which they have lost two quarterbacks but won nine successive games to move to 12-4, it is worth highlighting some of the play calls from the San Francisco head coach that helped ease the pressure on Purdy in a game where the seventh-round rookie did have his fair share of ups and downs.
While the defense endured its worst game of the season, the offense largely continued to excel thanks naturally in large part to the play-calling acumen of Shanahan, and these three plays stand out among his best from the win in Vegas.