Brock Purdy hasn’t gotten the identical shine as a participant like Joe Burrow as a result of he entered the league because the final choose of the 2022 draft after an obscure profession at Iowa State. He additionally doesn’t get as a lot credit score for his efficiency due to the San Francisco 49ers’ scheme. These labels are onerous to shake, nevertheless it’s most likely lengthy overdue to think about Purdy among the many sport’s greatest quarterbacks. This week he can have one other probability to show it with a rematch of February’s Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
How good are the 49ers?
Take a look at Austin Mock’s 2024 NFL projections, the place one can find every workforce’s likelihood of conquering its division, advancing via the playoffs and profitable the Tremendous Bowl. The projections are primarily based on 100,000 simulations of the rest of the season, which elements in every workforce’s projected energy, present well being in addition to its remaining schedule.
Week 7: vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Sunday, 1:25 p.m. PT (FOX)
Michael Silver: The mission for protecting the NFL has by no means been clearer
Becoming a member of The Athletic feels proper — on this second, and because the fruits of an incredible journey.
What’s modified because the Tremendous Bowl?
Rather a lot has modified for each groups since their additional time thriller in Las Vegas, together with important accidents. Our beat writers break it down.
Most distinguished enchancment? Guard Dominick Puni
The rookie will get the largest check of the season within the Chiefs’ Chris Jones, who’s been a constant sport wrecker in opposition to the 49ers.
Mailbag: One thing’s rotten on particular groups
Amongst this week’s questions: Why can’t Mitch Wishnowsky deal with kickoffs and why was Brayden Willis promoted to the lively roster?
Ricky Pearsall returns to apply 6 weeks after taking pictures
The return of Ricky Pearsall, who was shot within the chest throughout a theft try 9 days earlier than the season started, added power to the beginning of the week.
📈 Energy Rankings: 49ers on the rise
Will Christian McCaffrey play this season? The 49ers might have opened the operating again’s window to return this week. They didn’t. That’s not an encouraging signal.
Scouting the opponent
Atone for all the newest information on the Chiefs earlier than this Tremendous Bowl rematch.
Across the NFL
Sando’s Decide Six: Deshaun Watson and a Browns escape plan
The wage cap would make slicing Watson painful however not unattainable. Might the Browns thread the tiniest needle with a commerce?
Why Davante Adams, Amari Cooper trades may very well be completely different
In-season large receiver trades often flop. However the Jets and Payments shouldn’t essentially panic.
NFL panic meter
How fearful ought to the Cowboys, Browns and different struggling groups be?
NFL QB inventory report
Since 2022, Brock Purdy has been simply pretty much as good, if not higher, than Bengals QB Joe Burrow. So why doesn’t he get the identical shine?
Unique: Jerry Jones explains himself after fired up feedback
“The info are that if I’m going to be grilled by the tribunal, I don’t want it to be by the blokes I’m paying.”
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(High picture: Ronald Martinez / Getty Photographs)
