Quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy will combine to be the youngest-ever to start an NFC title game today. As they both fight for a shot to make it to Super Bowl LVII, the anticipated match-up will actually serve as a do-over — three years in the making.
After playing in each other in college back in 2019, Jalen Hurts led Oklahoma to victory by one point. And now, Philadelphia is hoping he can come out victorious again.
Purdy and Hurts put on a SHOW the last time they met back in college 🔥🎬 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/NQpewmjGym
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 25, 2023
JALEN HURTS VS BROCK PURDY 2019
It would seem as if Jalen Hurts is used to being an underdog, and like all underdogs, they eventually come out on top.
Beginning his collegiate career at Alabama, the young quarterback was benched as a sophomore. After weeks of flip-flopping between playing as a starter and taking on the backup role, he transferred to Oklahoma, shattering records.
That season, Oklahoma faced off against ISU and Brock Purdy. Hurts was up by seven points with 2:30 remaining. With the ball in the hands of Purdy, tight end Charlie Kolar caught the pass, running 13 yards into the end zone. With the chance to tie the game, ISU elected to go for two points, but Purdy was unsuccessful.
Securing the win, Hurts finished the game with 273 passing yards, three pass touchdowns, 68 rushing yards, and 2 rush touchdowns. Becoming runner-up for the Heisman Trophy that season, his professional career began shortly after when the Eagles drafted him in the second round in 2020.
Purdy finished with similar stats, passing for 282 yards and five touchdowns, and rushing for 55 yards and one touchdown. With two years remaining before the draft, he stayed at ISU before he was selected dead last in 2022.
THE 2022 SEASON RE-MATCH
Here we are three years later. Hurts proved haters very wrong and led the Eagles to a 14-1 season while he was quarterback, and Purdy, a rookie, has gone undefeated in eight starts after taking over for the 49ers.
Philadelphia earned the bye week after becoming the No. 1 seed. Last week, Hurts led the Eagles to a 38-7 win over NFC East rival, the New York Giants. San Fran has played two playoff games to make it to today’s game — facing a loud crowd in Seattle, they won 41-23, then beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 last week.
Today, both quarterbacks will compete for their chance to take their team to Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles’ offense is ranked first in the league, but so is the 49ers’ defense, setting the stage for what will be an epic game.
With home field advantage, the Eagles will host the 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM.
