Purdy details 49ers’ challenges vs. Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense

Purdy details 49ers’ challenges vs. Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense

originally appeared on
NBC Sports Bay Area

Brock Purdy faced a difficult matchup against the Cleveland Browns’ elite defense and struggled last Sunday as a San Francisco 49er. However, with the Minnesota Vikings’ pressure-inducing defense up next in Week 7, Purdy must quickly refocus. After Friday’s practice, the 49ers’ second-year quarterback discussed the challenges their offense will face against the Vikings.

“Boy, do they love playing in that realm of pressure and hoping they get the quarterback or get guys to mess up, force the ball to be turned over,” said Purdy. “I feel like that’s more of what they like to do. But, this team is good because they’ll show everyone coming and they bluff out.”

The Vikings pose a tricky matchup for Purdy due to their blitz-heavy defensive scheme, orchestrated by defensive coordinator Brian Flores. In fact, Minnesota leads the NFL in plays defended with at least five rushers, applying pressure on 60.5 percent of snaps.

However, the 49ers previously faced a similar defense in their
Week 3 home opener against the New York Giants
at Levi’s Stadium. In that game, Purdy thrived despite the pressure, throwing for 247 yards and two touchdown passes.

The Vikings’ combination of pressure and zone defense forces quarterbacks into making ill-advised decisions. Decoding Minnesota’s coverages before the snap is another challenge for Purdy.

“I’d say man-to-man coverage, as a quarterback, I think it’s a little nicer just because you know where your answers are supposed to be,” Purdy explained. “Zone coverage, it could be a more tricky area because you have a progression. You gotta move on from guys, and guys can be dropping underneath guys. Man [coverage], you know one guy is covering this guy and I have a chance when he breaks, knowing that no one is going to undercut it.”

Figuring out which defensive backs are covering his receivers amidst limited time in the pocket, as experienced in the recent game against the Browns, is a tough task for Purdy.

In the 49ers’ 19-17 loss to the Browns, Purdy struggled, completing just 12 of 27 passes for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception. With the 5-1 49ers aiming to bounce back, Purdy must deliver a relevant performance against the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

Minnesota will attempt to replicate the Browns’ success against San Francisco’s formidable offense.

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