It wasn’t pretty. Hell, it was ugly. But that’s the kind of game that the Cleveland Browns needed if they would pull off perhaps the biggest upset of the young NFL season.
Pull it off, the Browns did, winning 19-17 in a nail-biter in Cleveland over the formerly undefeated San Francisco 49ers.
The Cleveland Browns Rally to Upset the San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers entered today’s game flying high. A win and this team would set the longest regular season winning streak in franchise history. They hadn’t lost in almost a year. 2nd-year quarterback Brock Purdy had never lost a game he had finished. Heck, their rookie kicker Jake Moody had yet to miss a field goal in his young career.
All of these streaks were toppled by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday by the shores of Lake Erie. Not only that, but the Browns did it without their star quarterback, without their star running back, and without their best offensive lineman. As many 49ers fans are no doubt asking, how did this happen?
The Browns Defense Leads the Way Again
Even after the debacle against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns defense still ranks as the best in the league. As the game progressed, the 49ers offense became more and more frustrated with their lack of progress. Entering the game, Purdy has completed 72% of his passes for nine touchdowns, no turnovers, and a healthy 123.1 QB rating. The Browns’ defense blasted him all day. The pressure, which netted three sacks, was continuous, and Purdy had perhaps his worst day as a pro. He finished by completing just 44% of his passes for a paltry 4.6-yard average and also threw his first interception. At one point in the 4th quarter, Purdy was 1-for-5 in the second half.
Despite missing much of the second half due to injury, RB Christian McCaffrey still led the team in rushing. But even he had little room to run, finishing below four yards a carry, and only picking up nine yards in the passing game. Ditto most of the team’s other big weapons. Deebo Samuel (who also left due to injury)? Two carries, 11 yards, no receptions. George Kittle? One catch, one yard.
The 49ers, a team who work with rhythm and the building of drives with a variety of playcalling, just couldn’t find a way to get going.
Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanki’s Playcalling: A Step in the Right Direction
Meanwhile, on the Cleveland Browns sideline, head coach Kevin Stefanski had perhaps his best day of playcalling this season. Throughout September and the bye-week, Stefanski, who doubles as the team’s offensive play-caller, had been under fire for many of his offensive choices and designs throughout his Browns tenure. The team’s franchise quarterback, Deshaun Watson, seemed to have trouble settling in during the first two games. The wheels came off when Stefanski seemingly ran a similarly complex game plan with rookie Dorian Thompson-Russell starting in place of Watson two weeks ago.
Whatever the Cleveland Browns did during the bye-week, they need to do more of it. Despite joining the team just five weeks ago, starting quarterback PJ Walker looked comfortable like he had been with the team all along. Stefanski’s game plan emphasized a more balanced run-pass ratio of simple, high-efficiency plays aimed at getting the ball out fast and downfield. In fact, the Cleveland Browns ended with exactly 34 passes and 34 runs.
Penalties and Mistakes Define the Game for Both Teams
Even before the opening kickoff, the teams had to be separated after a scuffle broke out during pregame. That, and the rain, set the tone for a mistake-marred game that set the record for most penalties in the NFL this season. Two personal fouls set up a touchdown for the 49ers on their first drive. Walker’s second interception virtually gifted San Francisco its second. A Browns touchdown was nullified by a penalty, leading to a missed field goal.
But the two penalties that will be talked about all week came on the final offensive drive for the Cleveland Browns. Facing third and 10 in the game’s final minutes, 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. got handed an unnecessary roughness call after a hit on Browns receiver Elijah Moore. The video showed the hit coming after the ball wasn’t caught. Yet, this gave the Browns a fresh set of downs in a key situation.
Two plays later, the Browns were the beneficiaries of a defensive holding call from 49ers defender Charvarius Ward. That gave the Browns their second fresh set of downs. The drive ultimately stalled at the San Francisco 11, leading to the Browns’ go-ahead field goal, on what would ultimately be the final points of the game.
Cleveland Browns: Watson Watch
Despite PJ Walker’s gutty performance, teams with quarterbacks who barely complete half their passes and throw two picks seldom win games. The Cleveland Browns faithful are justifiably wondering when their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson will be back on the field.
Watson’s injury progression has been strange, to say the least. He supposedly bruised his shoulder in Week 3 against the Titans but finished the game. He didn’t throw during practice in Week 4 but said he would play. Watson was a last-minute scratch when things didn’t feel right, so he was expected back after two weeks of rest during the bye. But that didn’t happen either.
Soon after being ruled out for Sunday’s game, reports surfaced of Watson’s contusion being in his rotator cuff, which is more akin to an injury of a few weeks. That would put his entire October into question. But, just today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Watson could be ready to play as soon as next week against the Colts.
Here’s what Stefanski had to say about his star quarterback during the team’s press conference today: “We’re taking that one day to day, being smart. He’s doing a great job. He was an awesome teammate today, supporting these guys… we’ll see how it goes.”
The Browns – with or without Watson – next travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indianapolis Colts. All eyes will be on No. 4 during practice this week.
Main Photo: [Scott Galvin] – USA Today Sports
