49ers WR Deebo Samuel showers QB Brock Purdy with praise for leading game-winning drive

After a lackluster performance in the NFC divisional round, old doubts about quarterback Brock Purdy returned, even after he led the San Francisco 49ers to a game-winning drive in a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers. 

Many criticized Purdy's play for the 49ers' noticeable dip on offense, especially after wideout Deebo Samuel left the game with a shoulder injury. However, the All-Pro pass-catcher said he was impressed by his QB's work under challenging circumstances. 

"He's never uptight, or the moment is never too big for him," Samuel said, via KNBR. "He's always poised, cool. Even though I wasn't in the huddle, I can see it, and I can see how the guys are reacting to the things he's saying." 

Purdy was far from perfect against the Packers, finishing 23-of-39 for 252 yards and a touchdown. However, when it mattered most, he orchestrated a 12-play, 69-yard game-winning drive to send the Niners to the NFC title game. 

As for Samuel's status for Sunday, he's a full go after suffering only a deep bone bruise rather than a repeat of the hairline fracture suffered in Week 6. On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed he was off the injury list and would suit up for the NFC Championship Game. 

It's obviously excellent news for the 49ers, but in the mind of analyst Adam Caplan, having a healthy Samuel for the entire game is paramount to the team's hopes of topping the Detroit Lions. 

"You saw what happened when he left that game after nine plays and didn't return. Their offense sputtered," Caplan said on "Ferrall Coast to Coast." "He's so important to what they do. He's got to last in this game."

Without Samuel, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle received most of the targets through the air against the Packers, catching 11 of 19 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown combined. Meanwhile, the rest of the 49ers caught 10 passes (16 targets) for 114 yards.