Brock Purdy Might Be Out of the MVP Race After His Worst NFL Game Yet

Even the toughest cowboys have bad days. This year for former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy has been a little bit of a rollercoaster. It's been underscored by his first three-game losing streak in the middle of the season as well as chatter about him winning the NFL's most coveted individual award: the MVP.

Back in September, I questioned why oddsmakers were seemingly not giving Brock Purdy any respect in the MVP race. At the time, Purdy's odds weren't even among the top five best across any of the major sportsbooks, and although the season was still young, and the 49ers were 3-0, Purdy's play had been stellar enough to warrant the conversation, in my mind.

Since then, Purdy was the betting favorite to win the MVP. That is, until last night, when the San Francisco 49ers were rocked by the Baltimore Ravens in a primetime Christmas Day game.

A big part of the reason why the 49ers stumbled so bad was Purdy's play. Purdy had his worst statistical game as an NFL starter against the stout and greedy Baltimore defense. Purdy completed 18 of 32 passes for 255 yards and a career-high four interceptions before being benched (or "suffering a stinger," depending on what you believe) for backup Sam Darnold.

Purdy joins an ignominious class of quarterbacks who have started a game that ended with four interceptions, zero passing touchdowns, and fewer than 20 completions over the last five years. Among those names are Zach Wilson (who has been benched several times for the New York Jets), Davis Mills, who is now the third string quarterback in Houston, and Washington Commanders starter (?) Sam Howell.

Anyone watching the Ravens handle the 49ers likely could've seen this game as a "part one" of sorts, for both of these teams could very well meet in the Super Bowl come February. Both rosters are stacked with talent, and after the Ravens' statement win against San Francisco, Lamar Jackson has become the odds-on favorite to win the MVP.

As we football fans say ad nauseum during every season, it's a week-to-week league.

As unfortunate as it was for 49ers fans (and me, who has been open about being a big Brock Purdy fan), I, like anyone, am not ruling out the Niners' potential to hoist that Lombardi Trophy in less than two months. From their perspective, it's better to get kicked in the teeth in the regular season than in the playoffs where you're left with no chance to defend your honor.

All that said, Purdy's atrocious evening and departure from the game was at least highlighted by a happy moment between "Mr. Irrelevant" and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh and Brock Purdy both look alike, to the point where you could probably convince someone unaware of football that Harbaugh is Purdy's dad. It made for a funny moment between coach and player at the conclusion of the game (see below).