The San Francisco 49ers returned from their bye week firing on all cylinders, with Brock Purdy throwing three touchdown passes to help the 49ers cruise past the Tennessee Titans 37-24 on Sunday.
San Francisco (10-4) looked sharp from the opening drive, scoring on its first five possessions for the first time since 2021. Purdy connected twice with Jauan Jennings and threw a 1-yard jump pass to George Kittle, prompting a playful reaction from coach Kyle Shanahan. “But when it works, we call him Michael Jordan,” Shanahan said.
Purdy completed 23 of 30 passes for 295 yards and added four first-down runs, including a 26-yard scramble, the longest of the season for the Niners. Christian McCaffrey praised the quarterback’s leadership.
Tennessee rookie Cam Ward threw two touchdown passes, one to Gunnar Helm and another to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, finishing with 170 yards passing. But the Titans (2-12) struggled to sustain momentum and remain tied for the NFL’s worst record. They missed a key opportunity late in the first half when Ward failed to connect with Van Jefferson on a deep shot, followed by a missed 50-yard field goal by Joey Slye.
The 49ers steadily pulled away in the second half, extending their lead with a second touchdown to Jennings. San Francisco converted nine of 15 third downs, keeping Tennessee off balance for much of the game.
Despite the loss, Simmons had a historic performance, recording a strip sack and then catching a 1-yard touchdown, becoming just the sixth player since 1982 to record a sack, forced fumble, and receiving TD in the same game.
Injuries
Titans: Safeties Xavier Woods (hamstring), Mike Brown (ankle), and Kevin Winston (hamstring) left in the first half and did not return. G Kevin Zeitler (groin), WR Van Jefferson (back), and LB Cedric Gray (concussion) also exited in the second half.
49ers: DT Jordan Elliott was scratched with a knee injury. WR Ricky Pearsall injured his ankle on the first play but returned to catch six passes for 96 yards; he later left with a knee issue. OL Spencer Burford left with an ankle injury but returned.
Up Next
*Titans: Host Kansas City next Sunday.
49ers: Visit Indianapolis on Dec. 22.*
