The 49ers and rookie QB Brock Purdy hold a rare distinction going into their Week 14 showdown with the Buccaneers. San Francisco according to BetMGM is favored by 3.5 points against the Tom Brady-led Bucs.
This makes sense considering the matchup. The 49ers haven’t allowed more than 17 points since Week 7, while the Buccaneers haven’t scored more than 22 points since Week 4. Tampa Bay is banged up along the offensive line, while the 49ers’ defensive line is one of their biggest strengths.
San Francisco’s offense is where things get interesting. Purdy will be making his first NFL start, while the Buccaneers will be rolling out arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time. The 49ers are favored despite the disparity at the most important position in the sport. It’s also only the second time Brady will be an underdog against a rookie signal caller per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
#49ers are 3.5 point favorites Sunday against Bucs, Tom Brady.
Brock Purdy is the first rookie QB drafted in the 7th round or undrafted to be favored in his first career start since Brad Goebel (PHI) in 1991.
This is only second time Brady has been an underdog vs. rookie QB.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 7, 2022
The other time Brady was an underdog against a rookie was in 2006 when the Patriots were 3.0-point ‘dogs against Vince Young’s Titans. New England blew out Tennessee 40-23 in that one.
Purdy and the 49ers will aim for a different fate Sunday in a huge game for their playoff hopes. If Purdy can avoid crucial mistakes and keep the team on the field on third downs the way he did in his relief stint Sunday, San Francisco will have a good chance to cover the 3.5 points.
