49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brock Purdy threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the 49ers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 at Levi's Stadium. Purdy became the first quarterback ever to defeat Tom Brady in his first NFL start. He capped a near-perfect first half with a 32-yard TD pass to Brandon Aiyuk, joining Don Strock (1975) as the only players to throw at least two TD passes and run for another in the first half of their first career start. McCaffrey ran for 119 and a TD. Brady went 34-of-55 for 253 with a TD. The 49ers improved to 9-4.[1][2][3]

Brock Purdy beat Tom Brady. Sentence. The kid from Queen Creek, Arizona, the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, in his first career start, beat the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history.

The 49ers won 35-7. Purdy threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the first half, joining Don Strock (1975) as the only player to do that in the first half of a first career start. McCaffrey ran for 119 and a touchdown. The Bay Area welcomed home Brady with the kind of Sunday Brady will not want to remember.

'Mr. Irrelevant,' is the moniker Purdy will carry forever now. The story is going to be the story the rest of the season because the season is now built around it. Purdy postgame: he got congratulations from Brady at midfield. 9-4. The Seahawks on Thursday night next.

49ers 35, Buccaneers 7. Margin: +28. Fourteen-game record: 9-4, +120 differential.

• Purdy: 16-of-21 for 185, 2 TD pass, 1 TD run (first career start).
• First QB ever to beat Tom Brady in his first NFL start.
• Joins Don Strock (1975) as only players with 2 TD pass + 1 TD run in 1H of first career start.
• Brady: 34-of-55 for 253, 1 TD.
• McCaffrey: 119 rushing, 1 TD.
• Aiyuk: 32-yard TD catch.
• 49ers 28-0 at halftime.
• 49ers 9-4 (6 straight).

A 35-7 win over the Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers improve to 9-4 with their sixth straight win. Brock Purdy becomes the first QB ever to defeat Tom Brady in his first career start.

How it unfolded

Purdy opened with a touchdown drive that ended on a 3-yard rush by McCaffrey. Brady threw an interception that the 49ers turned into another TD. McCaffrey ran in his second of the day. Purdy hit Aiyuk for the 32-yard touchdown before the half, the play that joined him with Don Strock in the rookie record book. The 49ers led 28-0 at halftime. The second half was clock-killer drives and a Brady touchdown to make it 35-7.

The turning point

Purdy's 32-yard touchdown pass to Aiyuk. With the 49ers up 21-0 and the offense looking like it could not be stopped, the long ball confirmed that the kid from Queen Creek was not afraid of the big stage.

By the numbers

Purdy 16-of-21 for 185 with two TD passes and a rushing TD. McCaffrey 119 rushing on 22 carries with two TDs. Aiyuk 4 catches for 65 with the long TD. Brady 34-of-55 for 253 with a TD; the Bucs' offense managed only 7 points.

Personnel watch

Purdy in his first NFL start producing the kind of complete-package afternoon the franchise has been built around for two decades. McCaffrey at full capacity. The defense generated four sacks of Brady and held the Buccaneers to 7 points.

What it means

9-4 with the rookie quarterback the new starter. The Seahawks on Thursday night next, the divisional opponent that will tell the league whether Purdy can stack consecutive wins.