Brock Purdy delivered the kind of performance the San Francisco 49ers desperately needed, guiding his team to a commanding 26-8 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13 — and finally answering the critics who questioned him just one week earlier.
After his three-interception disaster against the Panthers, all eyes were fixed on the second-year quarterback as he stepped into freezing conditions at Huntington Bank Field. Instead of folding, Purdy responded with maturity, poise, and a mistake-free outing that helped San Francisco secure its third straight win.
Completing 16 of 29 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, Purdy managed the offense with calculated discipline, leaning on trusted targets George Kittle and Jauan Jennings while allowing Christian McCaffrey to grind out tough yards on the ground.
More than the numbers, what stood out was Purdy’s command — a calm presence in swirling wind, icy rain, and an aggressive Browns defense determined to rattle him.
Speaking with CBS Sports after the victory, Purdy didn’t take personal credit. Instead, he praised the collective effort that kept the 49ers firmly in the NFC West race during a critical stretch of the season.
“Just a complete team effort across the board — defense, special teams, offense. Everyone understood the conditions, stayed disciplined, and did their job,” Purdy told CBS. “In a road environment like this, you have to be on top of everything. Credit to our coaches for preparing us the right way.”
It marked his third game back from a turf toe injury, and Purdy confirmed that the issue no longer lingers. Even in the frigid environment, he played without hesitation — zero signs of discomfort.
He made it clear: the injury chapter is closed.
Now, with a perfectly timed bye week ahead, Purdy and the 49ers can reset before a crucial four-game finish featuring playoff-hungry opponents like the Bears, Seahawks, and Colts. The Titans await first — a matchup San Francisco is heavily favored to win.
But Purdy isn’t looking ahead to standings, hypotheticals, or what-ifs. His focus is sharper than ever.
“End of the season right now, this is all that matters — taking it one game at a time,” Purdy said. “We’ll get healthy, get our guys back, and be ready to roll for the final stretch.”
With the Rams losing earlier in the day, the NFC West remains wide open. If the 49ers ride this momentum through December, their path to a home playoff game looks more alive than ever.
And if Purdy continues to steady the ship the way he did against Cleveland, San Francisco may soon look back at Week 13 as the moment everything flipped.
