Coming off last week’s 49ers drubbing at the hands of the Rams, and with Brock Purdy finally returning to the fold after missing six games with a toe injury, it seemed about time for the team to reset and get right. And there are few players the team can more reliably turn to when a get-right game is needed than tight end George Kittle, the ninth-year star who remains one of the best-liked players in the current 49ers era.
Kittle has had his injury struggles himself this season, but after catching nine balls, and one for a touchdown, in Week 10, the hope is that he is geared up for a big second half of the season. And he came through in Week 11, putting up 67 yards on six catches, with two touchdowns, as the 49ers blew out the Cardinals, 41-22.
The 49ers are now 7-4, with a relatively soft three games, and a much-needed bye week, ahead.
Brock Purdy, George Kittle Connected for 2 49ers TDs
Along the way to the 49ers’ Week 11 win, Kittle found his way into the team’s record book, as he joined Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice as the only three players in the history of the franchise to record 500 catches and 50 touchdowns.
He then joined the franchise annals again with his second touchdown, which was the 23rd of his career with Purdy as his quarterback. That moved him and Purdy past Steve Young and Brent Jones for the most QB-tight end touchdowns in franchise history.
Brock Purdy ‘In Rhythm’ for 49ers
Kittle’s first touchdown came in the first quarter, a 30-yard pass from Purdy with 9:51 to play, putting the 49ers ahead, 14-0. The play was part of a five-play, 70-yard drive for the touchdown, which came after the 49ers started the game with a 98-yard kick return from Skyy Moore. That set up a 1-yard touchdown drive to open the 49ers offensive spurt.
But the second drive is where Purdy found his rhythm.
“It felt good to get into a rhythm for sure,” Purdy said. “Just to hit the guys and have some big gains, and to hit that one, it was like, we’re playing, we’re in an NFL game. Put a good throw onto George and he completes it. It was good for my confidence and everything.
“Outside of that, it’s football, I’ve been here before. Just trying to settle back into who I am and how I play quarterback.”
George Kittle: ‘He Has His Swagger’
Kittle was appreciative of Purdy’s quick-strike ability. He threw for 200 yards on just 19-for-26 passing, with three touchdowns and a 133.5 rating. The 49ers held their own with backup Mac Jones under center, but Jones can’t throw the long balls nearly the way that Purdy can.
In fact, in the two games he played, Purdy was 7-for-9 on deep passes (20 or more years). Jones was 5-for-20 in eight games. Kittle said it was noticeable, having Purdy back.
“Brock’s presence in the huddle is so elite,” Kittle said. “How he talks to the players, how he talks—he plays the game with this joy that is so infectious. And it’s so much fun to play football with him. Especially, what, five minutes into the game, he hits me down the field with a perfect pass. He was just like, feeling it.
“I think he has his confidence, he has his swagger. More people were celebrating with Brock after his touchdown pass with me. I was a little jealous.”
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