If there are two things we know going into this week’s Monday night matchup between the Vikings and 49ers, it’s that Brock Purdy has been very good and the Vikings love – like really, really love – to blitz.
So how good has Purdy been when the defense brings five or more pass rushers, which qualifies as the definition of a blitz? Let’s break it down…
When not blitzed, Purdy’s PFF grade is 72.0. Against the blitz, his PFF grade drops to 59.7, which ranks 24th of 33 qualified quarterbacks. That’s actually one spot behind Justin Fields, two spots behind Kirk Cousins and barely ahead of Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Bryce Young.
Those aren’t great numbers, but Purdy also has five touchdowns and zero interceptions in 82 dropbacks against the blitz. The only quarterbacks with better TD/INT numbers against the blitz are Cousins (8 TD, 0 INT) and Tua Tagovailoa (6 TD, 0 INT).
The Vikings have been extremely aggressive under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, blitzing at a rate of nearly 50% or higher in five of six games. The only game they sat back – kind of – was in Week 4 when they blitzed Bryce Young 30.8% of the time.
- Week 1: 47.4%
- Week 2: 51.6%
- Week 3: 82.0%
- Week 4: 30.8%
- Week 5: 50.0%
- Week 6: 71.9%
Blitzing downs aren’t the only snaps where Purdy faces pressure. In fact, Purdy has been blitzed 82 times but only been “under pressure” 67 times, according to PFF.
When he’s officially under pressure, his PFF passing grade drops to 53.8 and he’s completed just 26 of 56 passes while being sacked 10 times.
But again, Purdy isn’t making the big mistake. He has yet to throw an interception this season while under duress. If the Vikings can change that narrative and force Purdy into a big mistake or two, it could be what sways Monday’s game in favor of the Vikings as they hope to get to 3-4 rather than 2-5 entering the critical period before the Halloween trade deadline.
