If there's anyone familiar with what works and what doesn't in the NFL, it's Peter King. The NBC Sports legend joined F.P. and Dibs Tuesday, and broke down the criticism directed at Brock Purdy.
King addressed Purdy's latest performance, and whether the criticism over his play makes sense given the clutch ending.
In general, King doesn't think Purdy criticizers have been watching games closely this season. But if there's any time to criticize him, he says it's right now.
"Just watch the games," King said. "And in my opinion, I think that people really have not watched the games very closely if they're being critical.
"Now look, we happen to be at a time right now, where if you're going to have some questions about Brock Purdy, it is right here, it is right now. Because his last two real meaningful games, against Baltimore, and obviously against Green Bay, have not been his best games by any stretch.
"But I think overall when I look at it, I don't have big questions about him. Particularly, though, with Deebo Samuel missing, I've got some questions about how well he's gonna play this week and whether Deebo's going to be 65 percent or whatever he's going to be."
All that said, he doesn't see Purdy's performance as lucky, or solely a result of Kyle Shanahan's play calling.
"It is not a fluke to have a 9.6 yards per attempt average for a season," King said. "That's one of the best in NFL history. That means that every time the ball leaves Brock Purdy's hands, in essence, complete or incomplete, he's throwing for a first down.
"So there's that and I also say, just go back and watch the four touchdowns he threw against Dallas in week five this year. And Next Gen stats have a great stat about that. He's the only player in the eight years that Next Gen has been doing stats, who threw the ball for four touchdowns, and every one was on the move outside the pocket. No one's ever done that in the last eight years. So he's not one of these guys, who is only acting as Kyle Shanahan's proxy, he makes some good plays on his own."
The last thing King said about Purdy is that his lengthy college experience at Iowa State was invaluable. It wasn't just the 46 games, but the fact that "so much was on his shoulders" in games against much tougher opponents. That's made acclimatizing to the NFL easier for him than most. He sees Purdy as someone who's not going to feel like a moment is "too big for him."
