Why this Week is a Reality Check for the 49ers

Until this week, the 49ers seemed to think they were invinceable with Brock Purdy.

He had never lost a game he started and finished until the Browns beat him on Sunday. He technically lost the NFC Championship game to the Eagles, but he got injured during the first drive. The 49ers still believe they would have won if Purdy had remained healthy. That's where the sense of invinceability comes from.

But then the Browns gave the 49ers a reality check. Showed everyone that Purdy is not an elite quarterback, and can look quite ordinary if the 49ers don't play up to their standard as a team.

The previous week against the Cowboys, the 49ers played up to their standard. Blew out Dallas by 32 points. Played the game with focus, energy and violence, and established themselves as the team to beat in the NFL. For whatever reason, the Cowboys bring out the best in the 49ers.

The following week, the 49ers clearly did not treat the Browns with the same seriousness they treated the Cowboys. First, the 49ers ran onto the field before the game, and Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams started a scuffle with Browns players. Punked them. Disrespected them in their house. An incredibly arrogant thing to do, especially when facing the No. 1 defense in the league.

The 49ers never gave a serious effort in Cleveland. They committed 12 penalties, missed two field goals and essentially beat themselves. It's like they wanted to find out what they could get away with and how badly they could play before they embarrassed themselves.

They found out the hard way. They need to take each opponent as seriously as they take Dallas.