49ers QB Brock Purdy isn't team's 'weak link' despite performance against Browns

Despite an awful performance against the Cleveland Browns, it's not time to turn San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy into a scapegoat for all the team's problems.

"Shocker—when Purdy had to play without the Avengers squad of skill position players, he looked a lot like when Nick Mullens was the Niners QB," FS1's Nick Wright said Monday on "First Things First." "He's a big question mark and the Niners' weak link."
 
Purdy posted a below-average 40 QBR and completed 12-of-27 passes for 125 yards, one TD and one interception in the 19-17 upset.
Were his struggles tied to wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique/ribs) exiting the game? Yes, Purdy is not ready to carry the team without his top playmakers.
However, one terrible game shouldn't diminish a solid season. The second-year QB still leads the NFL in QBR (77) and has only thrown one interception in six games. He's also had some help from a Browns defense that is best in the league. It has only allowed 1,002 yards through five games, the fewest in over 50 years, per CBS Sports.
 
Don't forget that Purdy put the 49ers in position to win, after a 52-yard drive with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter. If kicker Jake Moody made a 41-yard field-goal attempt, it would've been the second winning drive of his career, per The Athletic's Marcus Thompson II.  

"Still, what you wanted to see from Purdy was visible," wrote Thompson II. "When it had to happen. Purdy summoned the moxie necessary to overcome his waywardness and make something happen."
 
Expect Purdy to rebound in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings, who are 21st in the league in points (22.5) and passing yards (218.8) allowed.