Are 49ers Due for a Letdown at Browns this Sunday?
The Cowboys crushed the Jets 30-10 in Week 2, but then lost to the Cardinals 28-16 in Week 3. The Dolphins destroyed the Broncos 70-20 in Week 3, but were then dismantled by the Bills 48-20 in Week 4. The 49ers throttled the Cowboys 42-10 in Week 5.
Are the 49ers due for a letdown game? Here are seven reasons why I think that is likely to happen in Cleveland this Sunday:
1. Myles Garrett is arguably the best edge player in football. Za'Darius Smith is the bookend across from Garrett. When he played for the Packers, Smith gave the 49ers' offensive line fits for years, and he had 10 sacks for the Vikings in 2022. Dalvin Tomlinson has been one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL for many years. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa is a speedy and versatile linebacker who can also play safety. Grant Delpit is a strong safety who is more like a linebacker. Denzel Ward is one of the better cornerbacks in the league. Greg Newsome II is a very solid nickel cornerback. Martin Emerson Jr. is a rookie cornerback who might be the best of the three. In addition to being loaded with talent, the Browns' defensive coordinator is Jim Schwartz. Kyle Shanahan is 1-8 lifetime against Schwartz defenses, with a high score of 23 points in those nine games.
2. Not only do the 49ers have to travel cross-country, but the game will also be played at 10am PST, which can cause trouble for West Coast teams that are used to playing at 1pm or even 1:25pm.
3. The forecast is for rain and wind. Neither helps a precision passing game such as the 49ers like to employ.
4. Deshaun Watson won't play, which is good for the 49ers, but PJ Walker is a bit more of a wild card. If Walker struggles, then we might see Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the dynamic rookie quarterback out of UCLA.
5. The Browns' all-world running back Nick Chubb is most likely out for the season. Jerome Ford has played well, and the Browns also have Kareem Hunt, who is no longer at his peak, but still a highly effective dual-threat running back. Expect the Browns to run early and often on Sunday.
6. Amari Cooper is a true No. 1 wide receiver. He is a great route runner who, combined with being sure-handed, is also adept at creating separation.
7. For the last several years, the Browns' offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL. Star left guard Joel Bitonio has been ruled out. Former Seahawks center Ethan Pocic is questionable. If that wasn't enough, Browns tight end David Njoku, after recently sustaining facial burns, is also questionable. While this unit won't be at full strength, it should still be very strong.
PFF has the Browns ranked as the 11th best team in the NFL, while the @NFL, @NFLStats, ESPN, and Eric Edholm of Around The NFL all have the Browns ranked as the 12th best.
Prediction:
I am predicting a letdown game for the 49ers. I believe that the Browns will keep the game close until the third or fourth quarter. Having seen the 49ers defense get tired when their offense stalled in the last two NFC Championship Games, as well as Super Bowl 54 vs the Chiefs, I expect to see the same with the Browns defense on Sunday, especially if the Browns offense is unable to sustain drives, preventing them from resting properly. I do not believe that the 49ers will score 30 points, but I do believe that they will win and cover the 9.5-point spread. I'll say 49ers 24 - Browns 13.
