NFL fans joked Brock Purdy wasn't new Tom Brady after he didn't get 'Tuck Rule' luck on fumble

After helping take the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC title game, former seventh-rounder Brock Purdy has become an underdog NFL sensation. Considering his status as a late-round pick on a legitimate Super Bowl contender, some had even compared Purdy’s unexpected rise to that of the legendary Tom Brady and his famous start with the New England Patriots.

But after a clear open-hand fumble to start the NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s apparent Purdy probably doesn’t have the same magic as a young Brady. When the Eagles’ Haason Reddick leveled Purdy early on in the proceedings, the quarterback obviously lost the ball and happened to punch it forward.

All reviews were conclusive — it was a Purdy fumble and the Eagles had possession:

FUMBLE, EAGLES RECOVER pic.twitter.com/Nt1hKhjZEO

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) January 29, 2023

This Purdy play was, of course, in stark contrast to the infamous implementation of the “Tuck Rule” — a controversial result during Brady’s first Patriots Super Bowl run in 2001 where he appeared to fumble the ball, but officials ruled it a forward pass. (This saved the Patriots’ bacon in a tight playoff game against the then-Oakland Raiders.)

If Purdy really were the second coming of an all-timer, logic would state that he’d have gotten the same luck as Brady once did. Instead, it was the Eagles’ ball, and Josh Johnson stepped in for Purdy after the young QB hurt his elbow.

Purdy didn’t necessarily have the highest expectations for his individual performance, but bettors thought he’d perform admirably (especially limiting turnovers). That’s what happens when you have arguably the most talented supporting cast in pro football. While the precise extent of Purdy’s injury is unknown, this now throws a wrench into all underdog “thriving against the odds” plans. Naturally, that should be expected with injuries and pre-game betting projections.

For what it’s worth, Purdy getting hurt does actually fit Brady’s first appearance in a conference title game, as the legend got injured against the Steelers in the AFC title game in 2001:

Brock Purdy is really serious about this Tom Brady career path, even getting hurt in his first conference championship game

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 29, 2023

There’s still plenty of ballgame left, but you’d think the script would generally be the same for Purdy if he were to match the underdog launch of a future First-Ballot Hall of Famer.