5 Interesting Stats From Browns’ Win Over 49ers
The Cleveland Browns announced themselves as a threat to anyone with their improbable win Sunday against the undefeated 49ers.
Now, we're digging into some of the most interesting stats and records that tell the story of how the Browns won and what it means for Cleveland.
9-1
This is Jim Schwartz’s near perfect coaching record in games against Kyle Shanahan. Schwartz, who had marvelously created one of the NFL’s best defenses since becoming the Browns’ defensive coordinator, hasn’t lost to a Shanahan-led team since 2008.
It’s been thorough dominance from Schwartz’s units, too. The Schwartz-led defenses have held Shanahan’s offenses to 15.8 points per game and have averaged just 28.3 percent on third downs.
Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) celebrate a missed field goal by the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
215
The Browns held the 49ers to just 215 yards allowed per game, which is the lowest output from San Francisco’s offense in the 104 regular season games since he became their head coach.
The 49ers entered the week averaging 402.6 yards per game, and the Browns nearly held them to half that total. It was near flawless execution from the defense, who surrendered an opening drive touchdown but didn’t allow the 49ers to reach the red zone again until Deommodore Lenoir took an interception back to their 8-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) celebrate a missed field goal by the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
4-0
P.J. Walker has only started eight games in his four-year NFL career, but the backup QB who did just enough to lead the Browns to a win is 4-0 all-time in home starts. His previous three wins came when he was with the Panthers.
Walker did not have a clean game against the 49ers. He threw two interceptions and nearly had a third on the Browns’ final drive when he attempted to squeeze a pass through tight coverage to Amari Cooper, which Stefanski said was a pass Walker wasn’t supposed to attempt, but other timely throws throughout the game kept the Browns in it, and he finished with 193 passing yards, which was 67 more than 49ers QB Brock Purdy.
7.5
The Browns held Purdy to a jaw-dropping 7.5 QBR in man coverage, according to Nick Wagoner. They were in man coverage on 71 percent of his drop backs and overwhelmed him with pressure, applying it on 47 percent of those drop backs.
Everyone who paid attention to Schwartz’s game plans knew the Browns were going to bring pressure — they led the NFL in that category prior to Week 6. The 49ers undoubtedly knew what was in store for Purdy but had no solutions, and their plans to stop it had less of a chance of working after RB Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel left the game with injuries.
52
The defense has allowed just 52 yards this season, which is by far the best mark in the NFL. The second closest team is the Cowboys, who have allowed 81 and have yet to play their Week 6 game because they’re slotted for Monday Night Football.
That same Dallas defense allowed San Francisco to score 42 points last week. The Browns are in another galaxy from the rest of the NFL when it comes to defensive play, and there’s no reason to believe their dominance won’t continue with games against the Colts, Seahawks and Cardinals, who all have offenses who rank closer to the middle of the pack.
