Brock Purdy’s credentials as a winning quarterback are undeniable. He’s 17-4 as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers to date.

But whether Purdy is an elite talent deserving of that record is another debate altogether. The former final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is a high efficiency quarterback who can execute head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense to a T. He minimizes mistakes and has found a way to thrive in a playbook that previously propped up Jimmy Garoppolo before him.

He also plays a little worse than stats suggest. For the fifth straight year, the Niners have led the league in yards after catch, padding his passing numbers behind big runs from playmakers like Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. His solid interception rate hinges on the fact that many of his bad decisions and wounded ducks harmlessly fall to the turf off the hands of frustrated defensive backs.

And then there’s this. A play that, if you tried to explain it to a friend who hadn’t watched the game, would leave you laughed at and branded a liar. A pass that bounces off Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor’s face for a 51-yard gain.