- Last year against the Cowboys in the playoffs, Brock Purdy was pressured on 49% of dropbacks.
- When Purdy got rid of the ball in fewer than 3 seconds last year, he was pressured on only 33% of attempts.
- The Cowboys have the #5 highest rate of passes thrown outside the numbers, where the 49ers struggle.
The biggest concern for the 49ers offense in this game is the pressure the Cowboys are able to bring.
The Cowboys defense ranks #2 in pass rush. They get pressure at the #1 highest rate and inflict the #6 lowest rate of EPA/att when QBs are pressured, but they end up only ranking #18 in sack rate on pressures.
It’s still a far cry from what the 49ers offense has faced thus far this season.
The prior three teams the 49ers offensive line has faced all ranked #21 or worse in pass rush.
That said, back in Week 1 the 49ers went into Pittsburgh and played the #5 ranked Steelers pass rush.
But as we’ve shared many times, the Steelers have massive splits. When they don’t get pressure, they’re BAD bad.
Dallas still ranks #10 in EPA/att and #5 in success rate when they don’t get pressure on opposing QBs.
That said, let’s look at the QBs the Cowboys have faced:
- The #26 pass offense of the Giants and Daniel Jones in Week 1
- The #27 pass offense of the Jets and Zach Wilson in Week 2
- The #9 pass offense of the Cardinals and Josh Dobbs in Week 3
- The #22 pass offense of the Patriots and Mac Jones in Week 4
None of these teams come close to the #2 pass offense of the 49ers.
So it will be a big step up in competition for the Cowboys pass defense taking on the 49ers.
But this will be the single most important matchup of the weekend.
Look at Brock Purdy’s splits:
- With pressure: -0.32 EPA/att, 36% success, 5.6 YPA, 49% comp rate
- No pressure: +0.77 EPA/att, 71% success, 10.8 YPA, 84% comp rate
He’s #1 in EVERY SINGLE METRIC when kept clean.
But he drops considerably when pressured.
Last year vs. the Cowboys in the playoffs, he was pressured on 49% of dropbacks.
His splits in that game?
- With pressure: -0.67 EPA/att, 14% success, 4.6 YPA, 33% comp (4-of-12, 5 hits, 2 sacks)
- No pressure: +0.70 EPA/att, 77% success, 9.4 YPA, 88% comp (15-of-17)
The 49ers need to figure out a way to do two things in this game:
