SANTA CLARA — This time in the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers’ offense will not be caught short-handed.
Most importantly, that shines true at quarterback, where Brock Purdy will be backed up by two veteran pros who’ve been here since spring. That spot is fortified, unlike last year’s debacle that unfolded once Purdy and last-ditch replacement Josh Johnson got hurt in the NFC title game defeat at Philadelphia.
Quality depth and proven options exist at every offensive position, too. That even goes for whatever role they envision Deebo Samuel, whose shoulder injury could shelve him like it did in Saturday’s 24-21, divisional-round comeback over the Green Bay Packers.
Simply put, the top-seeded 49ers (13-5) should be prepared for anything. They have enough contingency plans in place to thwart whatever adversity arises against the No. 3-seeded Detroit Lions come 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Levi’s Stadium.
“We’ve gone through some stuff this year and allowed guys to play in a lot of spots,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “To go into this game with just Deebo on (the injury report), it’s pretty good.”
If Samuel can’t play, or if another key offensive player goes down, that can’t be an excuse, not with the best collection of offensive talent in Shanahan’s seven-year tenure. Their Rolodex of All-Pros features running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Sure, Samuel did not make AP All-Pro or the Pro Bowl, but, in Purdy’s view, “he’s probably the best playmaker in this league. You get the ball in his hands, he can do whatever he wants.”
Samuel ran with a football tucked in his left hand during individual conditioning work Wednesday as practice unfolded without him. He got hurt on Saturday’s opening possession, and the 49ers’ offense subsequently struggled to find a potent rhythm, until the go-ahead touchdown drive with 67 seconds to spare.
Samuel’s exit wasn’t solely to blame for offensive malfunctions. The rain contributed to Purdy’s off-target night until the final drive. The Packers’ defense had a significant say, too. Then the 49ers offense came through in the clutch, with catches from Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley, before McCaffrey’s second and final go-ahead touchdown of the game.
“Deebo definitely gives us some juice, energy and momentum. If he’s not playing, that’s tough on us,” Purdy added, “but we’ll have guys who’ll be able to play and create that, as well.”
Unlike Saturday, the 49ers will be more prepared from the get-go, if they must move Jennings from the slot to Samuel’s primary role at flanker, with Ray-Ray McCloud or McCaffrey sliding into the slot.
Unlike last NFC Championship Game, the 49ers will have three quarterbacks in uniform: Purdy, Sam Darnold, and Brandon Allen. That insurance of having a No. 3, emergency quarterback became an NFL bylaw in the spring. It’s to help teams avoid repeating the 49ers’ catastrophe from last year, when they lost Purdy’s throwing ability to a torn elbow ligament and then lost Johnson to a third-quarter concussion. Johnson had signed only Jimmy Garoppolo was not medically cleared from a foot fracture to suit up as a No. 3 quarterback.
Surrounding Purdy – or whoever plays quarterback – is arguably the NFL’s best offensive talent, with a backup crew at the ready.
“We have some studs all across the board and guys that can step up,” Purdy said. “… That’s something cool about our team and what this organization has done. They get guys that are willing to step in and keep this thing going. We’ve shown that throughout the years.”
McCaffrey, the NFL’s rushing leader, is backed up by a healthy Elijah Mitchell, the 49ers’ leading rusher before McCaffrey’s arrival. Now, the talent drops off behind starters at wide receiver, tight end, and all five spots on the line, but enough reserves have seen action that the 49ers shouldn’t quake in their cleats.
“It’s a group effort. Whenever we lose anybody, the whole entire unit has to elevate and step,” Aiyuk said. “This moment is what (Jennings) is made for and built for. If the opportunity presents itself, we’re ready to ride with him. Same with Ray-Ray. This is what all the work is put in for. We’re all ready.”
Such offensive firepower helped the 49ers score at least 30 points in each win during a 5-0 start to this season, and they averaged 33.4 points in their 12 regular-season wins. That said, the 49ers’ average dropped to 22.5 points over the past four games.
The Lions’ defense hasn’t allowed any opponent to crest the 30-point mark in the past 10 games. Their playoff wins, both at home, were 24-23 over the Los Angeles Rams in wild-card action and 31-23 over the Tampa Bay Bucs in Sunday’s game.
“Teams have to scheme to stop certain guys,” Purdy said of most defense’s general approach. “They end up having to play their way of football, rather than focusing so much on one certain guy, because we have five, six, seven guys they have to worry about. That’s the cool part about the team we’ve got.”
