How Pff Graded Brock Purdy, 49ers' Position Groups In Week 13 Win Over Browns

How PFF graded Brock Purdy, 49ers' position groups in Week 13 win over Browns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers put together a cleaner performance in their 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns, and their PFF grades show where they improved.

After a three-interception performance in Week 12, Brock Purdy bounced back, not turning the ball over at all. Instead, the quarterback threw the ball away seven times, which is equivalent to his total of throwaways for the entire season thus far. 

The Iowa State product appeared much more comfortable, connecting with his receivers on intermediate throws, which were prevalently absent in Week 12. Purdy completed six of his eight attempts for 82 yards, one touchdown and an 146.9 rating on passes 10-to-19 yards downfield. 

The vaunted Browns defense, led by Myles Garrett did get pressure on the pocket on 17 of Purdy’s 31 drop backs (54.8 percent) which is the highest pressure rate allowed by the team this season. 

Purdy did hold the ball for an average of 3.41 seconds, which is the second-longest of any quarterback this week, and the longest for the 49ers play-caller since Week 5 of the 2024 season. However, Purdy has the best pressure-to-sack ratio in the league of only 5.8 percent on the season (minimum 70 dropbacks under pressure). 

Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott: 9.7 percent 

Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix: 9.8 percent 

Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold: 10.4 percent 

Mac Jones has a 17.9-percent ratio, which ranks him 16th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks. 

Here are more highlights from the 49ers’ Week 13 PFF grades 

Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who lines up predominantly on the right side of the line, split his time on both sides —16 rushes from the right side, and 15 from the left, facing off with both Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz. 

Pressures allowed 

LT Trent Williams – one sack, two hits, one hurry 

LG Spencer Burford – four hurries 

LG Ben Bartch – no pressures

C Jake Brendel – two hurries

RG Dominick Puni – two hurries 

RT Colton McKivitz – one hit, two hurries 

Every single one of Christian McCaffrey’s 53 rushing yards came after contact, but the All-Pro was allowed a little more room as a receiver. McCaffrey only was credited with 21 yards on his four catches, but gained 26 yards after the catch. 

All of Jauan Jennings’ four receptions on six targets resulted in either a first down or a touchdown. Two of his four catches were contested, giving him 14 for the season, which ties him for fourth in the NFL. 

Defense

The 49ers’ defense kept their game plan relatively simple, only blitzing Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders twice on 60 offensive plays. The Browns’ play-caller was under pressure on 10 of his 29 dropbacks, (34.5 percent) and he held on to the ball a lengthy average of 3.52 seconds per dropback which ranks as the highest in the league. 

Quarterback pressures 

Keion White — one sack, one hit, two hurries 

Clelin Ferrell — two sacks, two hurries 

Robert Beal Jr. — one hurry

Jordan Elliott — one hit 

Bryce Huff — one hit 

Ferrell has recorded four sacks in as many games after only being with the team since Week 9. The defensive end also recorded three stops. 

San Francisco’s defense was charged with 15 missed tackles, its highest total of the year. This allowed the Browns offense to gain 106 of their 138 rushing yards after contact, which equals 3.42 yards per carry after contact. 

Missed tackles 

Upton Stout – three

Malik Mustapha – two 

Ji’Ayir Brown – two

Keion White – two 

Curtis Robinson – two 

Alfred Collins, Dee Winters, Jason Pinnock, Deommodore Lenoir all missed one tackle.  

Winters received his second-highest grade of the year of 79.6, registering six total tackles and two stops. The linebacker allowed catches on all three of his targets but for just eight yards.

Malik Mustapha’s 78.5 grade was his highest grade of the season as a result of eight total tackles and two run stops. The safety also allowed one catch on two targets for only four yards, as well as one pass break-up on a deep pass by Sanders. 

Special Teams Bonus Stat of the Week: 

Thomas Morstead has recorded 20 punts inside the 20-yard line this season, with only one touch back. 

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast