Seven of the eight quarterbacks left in the 2023 NFL playoffs are first-round draft picks. The San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy is the exception, being selected with the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

But while the 49ers are the National Football Conference’s top seed, some football fans claim that other quarterbacks can replicate their success. They believe Purdy hasn’t earned his dues, even if he helped the Niners win two postseason games in his rookie season.

The former Iowa State standout finished the season with 4,280 yards, the fifth-most among quarterbacks. Purdy had a solid 69.4 completion percentage, while his 31 touchdowns are third-most throughout the regular season.

Yet, his exceptional play is often attributed to his equally talented teammates. After all, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel gained over 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season.

But in some ways, the 2023 playoffs are unfinished business for Purdy. His injury during the 2022 NFC Championship Game thwarted San Francisco’s hopes of winning Super Bowl LVII. If he remained healthy, the Niners had no doubt they would defeat the Philadelphia Eagles to earn a shot at the title.

Their path toward a Super Bowl LVIII appearance starts with a showdown against the Green Bay Packers during the Divisional Round. Purdy’s counterpart, Jordan Love, facilitated an offense that scored six touchdowns in an upset win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Even if the 49ers have won their last four postseason meetings with the Packers, they cannot underestimate this crew. While they have home-field advantage, they cannot afford a meltdown from Purdy like what happened against the Baltimore Ravens.

As the 49ers start another playoff push, Brock Purdy has an opportunity to turn more critics into believers. A splendid performance against the Packers will convince more football fanatics that he’s also carrying the team on his shoulders, not the other way around.

The 49ers will face the Packers on Saturday, January 20, at 8:15 p.m.

-Lance Fernandez