The last time the San Francisco 49ers played the Miami Dolphins was when the world got its first real look at Brock Purdy in a regular season setting. The year was 2022, and Purdy's big opportunity came early in the game when then starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an ankle injury on third down inside the red zone of the 49ers opening drive. San Francisco settled for the 47-yard field goal, and Purdy took over on the next offensive possession.
"Honestly it was just like any other game my rookie year in terms of backing up Jimmy and getting ready for it and being ready if my name was to get called," Purdy said. "And, when I go in, just know my answers within every play and keep the offense on the field. I just kept it simple and I competed my butt off. It was really that simple."
Then Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer opted to blitz heavily once Purdy entered the game, and despite taking a big hit early, he led the 49ers down the field to complete a nine-play, 54-yard touchdown scoring drive. That was one of two touchdown passes he threw that day. Purdy closed out his first significant outing in the NFL connecting on 25-of-37 pass attempts for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. It was the game that catapulted his career as starting quarterback in the NFL.
"Physically, when they're bringing the house and they're bringing more than we could block for, as a rookie it can sort of be tough to set my feet, throw accurately, get the ball off, throw on time," Purdy said. "All those things are a little tough, but at the same time, if you complete it, it could be big gash plays and stuff. It's hit or miss with that.
"But, looking back on it, I understand why they did what they did, a rookie quarterback getting thrown in, not knowing that he was going to play in that game and try to heat him up. I get it. But, here we are two years later and I'm interested to see what they're going to do for this one."
While the 49ers playoff fate is not completely sealed for 2024, Purdy's focus headed into this Week 16 matchup is all about ramping up the offense and finishing the regular season on a high note. San Francisco is coming off a Week 15 performance in which the defense limited the Los Angeles Rams to 89 yards of total offense in the first half and kept them out of the end zone entirely.
"I think just offensively, just trying to play a complete game for each other," Purdy said. "Obviously, get the run game going, pass game, everything, just get it clicking on all four cylinders, and I think just be able to play for four quarters. Like a good, legit, complete game. Defense is playing great right now. Special teams is playing their best ball. So, for us it's like, 'All right, offense, let's get this thing going and look like the Niners that we all know.'"
