No one better to lead the Browns defense against Kyle Shanahan, 49ers offense than Steve Wilks
The Cleveland Browns defense isn't familiar with the San Francisco 49ers or head coach Kyle Shanahan, but their defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is. As head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Wilks faced the 49ers twice last year, winning both games in large part because of the defense.
Both games occurred after Jimmy Garoppolo's torn ACL, so C.J. Beathard was in at quarterback. Nevertheless, the overall offensive philosophy and many of the concepts utilized by Shanahan remained the same.
In the two games, the 49ers ran a total of 155 offensive plays, which is an obscene amount, for a total of 714 yards. That's a lot of yards, but the total per play is just 4.6. For context, the best defense in the NFL last year in terms of yards play was the Baltimore Ravens, giving up 4.7 for the season.
In their first matchup, the Cardinals surrendered just 18 points, despite the 49ers running 92 offensive plays amassing 447 total yards. A big reason they were unable to get more is the Cardinals forced five turnovers in the game, intercepting a pair of passes and recovering three fumbles. The Cardinals only gave up 6 points through three quarters and the final 12 in the fourth quarter were too little too late.
The second game occurred three weeks later and it was another game dictated by defense. Wilks' unit only gave up 267 total yards for the game. The 49ers took a 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter, only getting another field goal in the final frame while the Cardinals rallied for 15 points and the win.
Shanahan's unit has their quarterback back in Garoppolo and added another weapon in Deebo Samuel. They may feel better about their ability to move the ball this year and given the results of their first three games as well as a bye week to prepare, they probably should.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, Steve Wilks is back and has far more talent with the Browns defense than he did with the Cardinals. They likely still won't have everyone back for this game, still likely missing both of their starting corners, but Wilks was successful with far less in Arizona.
The Browns have less time to prepare for this game in addition to the fact it's on a road trip out West, which only adds to the difficulty, but the defense would be hard pressed to find a coordinator more equipped to prepare them for Shanahan's offense.
