The San Francisco 49ers will play the Detroit Lions in their third straight NFC Championship Game and the fourth in five years. Instead of praising the number one seed of the NFC, many continue to offer criticism.
For most of the season, sports pundits and fans across the NFL praised the 49ers and called them front runners to be Super Bowl champions, but since the 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, those same cheers turned to jeers.
Last week, before the 49ers played the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game, former Raiders CEO Amy Trask went on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game and said quarterback Brock Purdy was the worst quarterback left in the playoffs.
"Four games, eight quarterbacks. Seven terrific quarterbacks and Brock Purdy," Trask said. "Now, Brock Purdy is a good quarterback, make no mistake about it. Everybody be calm, Forty Niner fans. I'm not suggesting Brock's not a good quarterback. He is. I simply don't put him in the same category as the other quarterbacks."
What's Amy smoking these days and can I get some of that? 🤫
— Lawrence Lee (@Lawrenc14233349) January 22, 2024
How about just be quiet obviously you was wrong and you dislike Purdy that's your choice one question how was jermarcus Russell HOF Career
— Jae1973 (@alexellison1973) January 22, 2024
What category is Trask talking about? If she is referring to the upper-echelon quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was the only one left. Josh Allen and former league MVP Lamar Jackson may be All-Pro-caliber quarterbacks, but they still have much to prove.
Did Trask forget about Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield?
Houston Texans rookie quarterback CJ Stroud and Green Bay Packers first-year starter Jordan Love led their teams to the playoffs, apparently earning more credibility in Trask's eyes than the 49ers' quarterback making his second NFC Championship appearance.
The "IKE Packers Podcast" recently stated that Purdy's arm strength is questionable when he rolls out of the pocket.
Force Brock Purdy to make throws on the run and he does this: he just simply doesn't have the arm strength, that's why he lasted until the final pick in the draft pic.twitter.com/EJ32R9HGk9
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) January 16, 2024
After they posted this on social media, 49ers fans quickly pointed out the plays the second-year quarterback made when he rolled out.
"Force Brock Purdy to make throws on the run and he does this" pic.twitter.com/dHfmQ0knRw
— Dev 🥷🏽 (@NinerDev) January 17, 2024
Or this...pic.twitter.com/otoEHcEoKa
— Adam Doctolero (@AdamDoctolero) January 16, 2024
Delete the tweet man. Packers D doesn't have what it takes to make him look bad. Gotta have elite coverage LBs to beat him pic.twitter.com/0lQRr8IJpG
— Aiyuk Masterclass (@aiyukbetta) January 17, 2024
Fans went to social media after the 49ers' 24-21 win over the Packers to remind the podcast about the post.
What that Packers podcast say about Purdy throwing on the run??? pic.twitter.com/9z6tdaLQaH
— 19 PROBLEMZ!!!! (@sf_derek) January 21, 2024
Maybe Brock is a good QB. https://t.co/ak1oVW3ely
— Ronnie (@viperbirdie) January 21, 2024
"Curious to know what that Packers podcast had to say about Purdy's ability to throw on the run. Evaluating a quarterback's skills under different scenarios adds depth to the analysis. Share the insights from the podcast! 🎙️🏈 #PackersPodcast #QuarterbackSkills"
— Chanel Morse (@ChanelMorsee87) January 21, 2024
Former Packers backup quarterback Kurt Benkert stated that the better team lost Saturday's Divisional Playoff game, but the comment was met with backlash.
Jordan played his heart out and made a mistake at the end. Should have never been in that situation in the first place.
Too many missed opportunities between players, refs (miserable), kicking, and everything in between.
The better team lost today.
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) January 21, 2024
The better team lost? Come on Kurt you are better than that statement. I love your content and I know you wanted your boys to pull this one out but the Packers were not the better team today. Gronk said it in postgame. The Packers outplayed the Niners for most of the game but you…
— Donte Hamilton (@DNice005ATX) January 21, 2024
The better team most definitely did not lose today. Love was bad. He had a horrid 4th quarter when it mattered most. And Purdy delivered dimes time and time again without his top playmaker.
Terrible take on the game.
— The Ultimate Lineup (@TULStyle) January 21, 2024
Both teams lost a field goal, refs let packers hold for the entirety of the football game, and they lost Deebo at the start. Packers and Love played well but 49ers and Purdy played better when it mattered. 👍🏻
— Tyler (@tylerrlarocca) January 21, 2024
San Francisco and Green Bay have a playoff history where four games came down to the last drive, including the 1998 Wild Card matchup that saw the 49ers emerge with a 30-27 victory.
The 49ers will play the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 28.