Four Takeaways From the 49ers' 19-17 Upset Loss to the Browns

A blemish has finally popped up on record of the 49ers

They suffered their first loss of the season to the Browns in Week 6. It was a loss where practically everything went wrong for the 49ers. Much of that had to do with the performance of the Browns, so credit to them. In that loss, there were some things revealed from the 49ers' perspective.

Here are four takeaways from the 49ers' 19-17 Upset Loss to the Browns.

Randy Gregory is going to be a difference maker

In his debut game since being acquired from the Broncos, pass rusher Randy Gregory proved that he is already an impact player. He tallied one sack, two tackles for a loss, and three pressures. The 49ers got Gregory for practically nothing. Now, he looks primed to be a key role player on the defensive line.

Second year pass rusher Drake Jackson wasn't getting the job done since Week 1 when he broke out for three sacks. Meanwhile, Gregory has already done more in one game than Jackson has done after Week 1. The 49ers are going to look like geniuses when it is all said and done by trading for Gregory.

Brock Purdy is human

All season long Brock Purdy has looked like the man for the 49ers. That last season wasn't a fluke and that he is the real deal. It still holds true, but clearly, he is human. Purdy had by far the worst game of his career against the Browns. It wasn't pressure in his face that was knocking him off his game either. He simply could not find a groove and was inaccurate for the entire game.

It's okay though. Elite defenses will make even the most elite quarterbacks look average or mediocre. Look at how the Jets' defense has been doing against their gauntlet of elite quarterbacks since Week 1. Having a poor game happens. Now it is all about how Purdy bounces back.

Jordan Mason is a great backup to Christian McCaffrey

I had been advocating for Jordan Mason to be the primary backup to Christian McCaffrey. And boy, did he look the part in his moments against the Browns. He handled the rock five times for 27 yards and a touchdown at a whopping 5.4 yards per carry. Mason is a perfect complement to McCaffrey. Where McCaffrey is the speedy and elusive breakout runner, Mason is the battering ram who is deceptively agile.

With McCaffrey's status up in the air with a rib/oblique injury, Mason would be in line to be the starter. However, it looks as if Kyle Shanahan will give the nod to Elijah Mitchell. It really should be Mason. He's the better runner and the more reliable player since he doesn't get hurt so frequently. Perhaps, Shanahan just likes Mason in rotational situations.

George Kittle is an unofficial offensive lineman

In a game where Deebo Samuel and McCaffrey left the game due to injuries, you would think George Kittle would step up. However, he was nowhere to be found. Kittle only managed one catch for one yard on two targets. At this point, all Kittle is for the 49ers is an unofficial offensive lineman. His blocking is all he is good for now.

If Kittle couldn't get any action with Samuel and McCaffrey out, then when is he ever going to? This has been the case for him all season long. Maybe it all changes as the season progresses since the 49ers don't want to overwork this early in the season. It was just alarming to see that in a game where they really needed him that he was irrelevant.