The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Week 12 win over the Carolina Panthers. However, that victory didn’t pass the eye test for one person, who doesn’t see the Niners being the team to come out of the NFC to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was at the center of the 20-6 ugly win over the Panthers on November 24. Moreover, with the game being on “Monday Night Football,” it was obviously drawing national NFL media attention.
Despite the win, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back on his thoughts regarding whether he sees the Niners being the team that wins the NFC this 2025 NFL season.
“There [are] too many good teams in the NFC that think that this version of the San Francisco 49ers could come out of the NFC,” Smith said on the November 25 edition of “First Take.” “Brock Purdy [has] got seven interceptions and eight touchdowns in his four starts.
“He has not been impressive, all right? So we got to get that. The three interceptions that he threw all for 20 yards or more— a lot of air under the ball, no zip. You don’t see him with a rifle of an arm, so we got to take that into consideration.”
The 49ers Might Be Leaning Too Much on Christian McCaffrey
Moreover, Smith points out that the 49ers’ over-reliance on Christian McCaffrey is a significant issue, considering that if the star running back goes down with an injury, what will that do to the offense?
“There’s but so much reliance that you could put on a Christian McCaffrey and a George Kittle,“ Smith added. “I know how [49ers head coach] Kyle Shanahan can call the game; I know he can coach the game or what have you. They’re a good team, they’re a respectable team, but you’re talking about two cornerstones of their franchise, two elite defensive players that are. They do seem a bit softer; they don’t seem as hardcore as they’ve been in the past defensively.
“Christian McCaffrey can only do so much; that’s an injury waiting to happen the more you put the ball in the sense. We know how electrifying he is when he’s on the field, 142 yards from scrimage last night, just another display of his greatness. But durability is a question mark; the more you have to depend on him, the more trouble that you’re in.”
49ers QB Brock Purdy Faces Criticism
Smith isn’t the only person criticizing the 49ers for their performance against the Panthers. FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back, saying he doesn’t believe Purdy can guide the team to a championship.
“Brock Purdy’s last 20 starts: 30 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, passer rating that’s equal to Tua,“ Cowherd said in a video published on November 25. “And what did I always call Brock Purdy? A right-handed Tua. A little mobility, not a big arm, [and] a little injury prone. Tua, don’t trust them in cold weather. Brock Purdy [has] had ball security issues in wet weather. It’s the same guy. It really is.
“I think Tua throws a more accurate ball consistently. I think Purdy’s a little bit better athlete and a much more aggressive thrower of the football. But in the last move off people because you’re paying Purdy and other people now, Brock Purdy is a mid-90 passer rating guy with injuries. That’s what he is. Don’t shoot the messenger. That’s what he is right now.”
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