Cleveland Browns (3-2) – San Francisco 49ers (5-1): 19-17
An excellent defense from Cleveland, an overwhelmed Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Christian Mc Caffrey injured, missed field goals and 25 penalties. With this menu, the Browns offered themselves the head of the San Francisco scarecrow, at the end of the suspense of a stifling match. All this without Deshaun Watson!
However, the Californians had started the meeting well, and we thought that they were going to play out as usual. But from the second quarter the Ohio defense tightened considerably to stifle the gold diggers who no longer found a solution in the absence of two of their best attackers. Brock Purdy was put under constant pressure and made a match far from his standards. To the point that approaching the last minute of play, the Niners had only produced one first down in the second half. Despite everything, the red and gold had their opportunity to win the match, but a second missed kick by Moody, 6 seconds from the endcosts the victory to the Niners.
Opposite Cleveland produced a great performance. The attack played on its qualities by developing a short game structured around races and killer screens, with an Amari Cooper on the big nights as a bonus. And the kicking game didn’t shake. But the most important thing is the level presented by the defense which completely asphyxiated one of the best attacks in the league. A close victory, but a deserved victory.
The Browns contain the Niners well
From the opening of the match San Francisco took the measure of Cleveland. In attack, the gold seekers forced two penalties and broke through to the points thanks to a Christian Mc Caffrey (RB, 52 yards, 1 TD) who was in good shape at the start of the match. On the other side of the leather, it’s Fred Warner (LB, 7 TKL, 1 PD) who emerges to cut off a pass from PJ Walker (QB, 18/34, 192 yards, 2 INT). And if the Browns do not intend to let themselves be counted on by developing a short game full of alignment feints, they encounter little success. A touchdown from David Njoku (TE, 24 yards) is recalled on penalty and a kick skims the posts without offering any points.
Despite everything, the opposition is very present for the 49ers. Faced with a sharp Ohio defense that tightens, the Californians struggle to make the break. Entering the red zone they are unable to reach the paint, and have to settle for 3 points to make the break. This is enough to boost Cleveland. Amari Cooper (WR, 108 yards) shines by sneaking into the back of the coverage, then Kareem Hunt (RB, 71 yards) punches and crosses the line to reduce the gap. Last burst of brilliance of the half because the two offensive squads no longer find the solutions against high-level defenses. The timer runs out while the two formations contain each other. 7-10 at the whistle.
Too many mistakes for San Francisco
Returning from the locker room, the Browns put on their pressure and played their luck to the fullest. Thanks to an acrobatic reception, Cooper brings his squad close enough to restore equality, then Martin Emerson (CB, 6 TKL, 2 PD) makes Brock Purdy (QB, 12/27, 125 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) suffer his first interception of the season. And as Ohio’s defense completely suffocates its opponent, Cleveland really has the wind in its sails, when San Francisco can no longer do it and in addition finds itself deprived of Deebo Samuel and Mc Caffrey. A domination which materializes in a new field goal which puts the Browns in front on the scoreboard.
At the start of the last period San Francisco had its head completely underwater. The Californians find no solution, completely stifled by Cleveland’s defense, and are even incapable of producing a positive game. The electroshock then comes from the defense. Deommodore Lenoir (CB, 5 TKL, 1 PD) emerges to intercept Walker and place the Niners in the opposing red zone. The momentum changes sides. Jordan Mason (RB, 27 yards, 1 TD) is at the finish to give hope and the advantage to the gold seekers. Especially since Nick Bosa (DE, 3 TKL, 1 sack, 1 PD) stands out to stop a great comeback from the Browns and hold them to a field goal.
But the Niners are making too many mistakes. The offense is completely powerless against Cleveland’s pressure, and the defense lines up costly penalties. Arrived at the height of the field goal, the Browns insist on the ground thanks to Jerome Ford (RB, 91 yards) and eat up the clock before passing the kick which smells of victory. However, at the end of the suspense, Purdy finally finds solutions with Brandon Aiyuk (WR, 76 yards) and Jauan Jennings (WR, 26 yards) and goes back up the field to offer the final field goal to his team. Another missed opportunity when Jake Moody (PK, 1/3) misses his second kick of the game. The Browns therefore pay the scalp of the terrible 49ers and inflict on them the first defeat of the season.
