Game Thread: Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers
The (2-2) Cleveland Browns are set to take on the (3-0) San Francisco 49ers on the road with the 49ers coming off of their bye week.
The Browns continue to be without their starting corner tandem of Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams. It seemed like Rashard Higgins would be able to go after practicing this week, but they opted to keep him out with a knee and the Genard Avery situation continues to be disappointing.
Once again, the Browns need their depth at corner to step up and play well if they are going to get a win. The good news for the Browns is Morgan Burnett rejoins the fold after missing multiple weeks with a quad injury, so the Browns safety position is back at full strength two weeks after missing both of their starters.
The 49ers will be missing Akhello Witherspoon after placing Jason Verrett on injured reserve earlier this week. Joe Staley continues to be out after suffering a broken fibula earlier in the year, which combined with the injury to swing tackle Shon Coleman that put him out for the year, rookie Justin Skule is the team's left tackle.
The matchup of Skule versus Myles Garrett could be critical to the 49ers chances of winning this game, presumably giving him help in the form of George Kittle among other options. Their corner position is in a difficult position as the Browns have most of their receivers healthy and active for this one.
First Quarter
Browns receive opening kickoff and their first play from scrimmage is a trick play with a jet sweep into a reverse rollout throwing to Jarvis Landry.
On a 3rd and 13, Mayfield rolled out and threw a pass down field which was caught by Ricky Seals-Jones at the sideline, was ruled a reception, but has been challenged by the 49ers.
The 49ers won their challenge, forcing the Browns to punt and the 39ers take over inside their own 20.
Matt Breida takes the first carry for an 83-yard touchdown in which he wasn't touched. It was a counter behind his fullback and tight end creating a massive hole. 49ers take 7-0 lead.
Baker Mayfield responds by throwing an interception on the first play to Richard Sherman. The pass was intended for Antonio Callaway and he was dealing with pressure from Nick Bosa. The ball was underthrown and Sherman went up and got it.
Uncharacteristically, the Browns are getting beaten based on the initial on alignment. The sweep to George Kittle had Chris Smith head up over a tackle and no one over the right end. When Smith crashed inside, no one was left, creating the big run.
Kyle Shanahan has found a weakness in Mack Wilson and is going after it repeatedly. One of his gifts as an offensive coordinator and playcaller is his ability to isolate and attack a weakness, this time for a touchdown. Browns now down 14-0 and it feels more lopsided than the score would suggest.
Browns run an ill-advised empty look and when Mayfield doesn't get rid of the ball quickkly, the 49ers defensive only not only catch himes but causes a fumble and a turnover.
In a game that looked like it would be defined by turnovers, the Browns have two and are lucky the 49ers didn't capitalize on the fumble, missing a field goal attempt.
Browns end the disastrous first quarter on a positive note with Mayfield stepping up in the pocket and finding Jarvis Landry, who maximized the yards after catch, setting the Browns up in a good spot to open the second.
14-0 after one.
Second Quarter
Nick Bosa has been great and for some reason, the Browns have thought a single tight end would be enough to get the job done on him.
After a throw that sailed high on third down, the Browns settle for a 30-yard Austin Seibert field goal to get on the board. 14-3.
Myles Garrett comes off the edge, beating Mike McGlinchey to sack Jimmy Garoppolo. That makes seven on the season for Garrett.
With Odell Beckham lined up deep in the backfield, Mayfield fakes pitch to Beckham and gives it to Chubb in an upback position on the trap.
Baker Mayfield throws to a wide open Antonio Callaway who doesn't just fail to catch the ball for a touchdown, but bobbles it up for the 49ers to intercept and return to the other side of the 50. Game changing, potentially game losing play by Callaway.
49ers convert 4th-and-1 after trying to draw the Browns offside on a hard count and taking a timeout.
49ers capitalize on third Browns turnover for a touchdown making it go from potentially a one-score game to a three-score game.
Nick Bosa goes right through Joel Bitonio to sack Baker Mayfield.
Chad Thomas notches the first sack of his career against Jimmy Garoppolo.
The half ends 21-3. It could well be 14-10. Considering the dominance the 49ers have shown in this game, it's remarkable it's even this close but the Browns have done everything you can't do to win on the road; namely mental mistakes and turnovers.
Third Quarter
49ers start with the ball, go right down the field, score an easy touchdown to a wide open George Kittle. It's now 28-3 49ers.
Kittle continues to just dominate the Browns catching passes short of the sticks, then dragging defenders to first downs.
Browns block a field goal, which is the third missed field goal for the 49ers in this game. Their snapping, holding, kicking operation has been brutal.
Fourth Quarter
It's officially garbage time as the 49ers have the ball trying to run time off the clock up 28-3.
Nick Bosa sacks Baker Mayfield again.
One positive is that Jamie Gillan continue to be outstanding as a rookie punter.
Odell Beckham returns a punt, which is a bad idea on its face down 28-3. He carries the ball away from his body and he fumbles it, giving the ball back to the 49ers.
49ers capitalize off of Browns fifth turnover for their first made field goal. 31-3.
Garrett Gilbert enters the game at quarterback, officially throwing up the white flag in this one.