The 49ers current hot streak is at three and 0. They are winning the games they should win. Brock Purdy has started in each of the last three games, with this game being his best outing.
Last week the Carolina Panthers attempted to play spoiler as they picked Purdy off on three occasions. Purdy was off target twice. However, the third pick was a thing of artistry by Jaycee Horn. He was playing in the low hole zone, out of Purdy’s view and at the release of the ball Horn suddenly darted under the ball securing his second interception of the day. Purdy’s seemingly poor play didn’t faze him. He kept slinging it when called, eventually leading the Niners to victory last week.
This week, the 49ers were tasked to go the road and play the Browns. It was a cold blustery day in Cleveland. Snow was forecast to fall towards the end of the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan opted to receive the ball and go into the wind during the first quarter. The strategy is to have the wind at your back in the second and fourth quarters.
The keys to the 49ers victory today were outstanding special teams play, defense and the offense’s ability to consistently score in the red-zone. The Browns first possession ended in a punt. Skyy Moore returned the punt 66 yards, putting his offense on the Browns sixteen-yard line. A few plays later and McCaffrey pounded his way into the endzone.
The Browns only score of the game came off a 90-yard drive. After rookie running back Quinshon Judkins pounded his way down to the 32-yard line, Shedeur Sanders found fellow rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a connection inside the red-zone. Fannin Jr. then turned up field and rumbled into the end-zone, trodding over Niners in his wake. It was a savvy play by Sanders and his tight end, as Fannin Jr. sneaked open by faking a block.
With only 39 seconds in the half to work with, Purdy used the wind at his back and connected three down the field throws. His last throw was a 33-yard laser to George Kittle. Kittle snagged the ball at the seven-yard line as a defender was already wrapped around Kittle’s right arm. If George had not secured the pass, it would have likely been a penalty. Four seconds was enough for Matt Gay to doink a 25-yard field goal in right before half time. The ball bounced off, and thru the left upright.
Fourth down stops by the defense were a key component to the Niners victory today. The Browns attempted and failed four fourth down conversions. Early in the second half, the failed fourth and one conversion put the 49ers on Cleveland’s 33-yard line. Nine plays later, Purdy danced his way into the end zone. The 49ers tacked on ten more points in the fourth quarter. The final 49ers touchdown drive was set up by a Keion White sack on a Brown’s fourth and sixteen.
The 49ers defense has been hit the hardest with injuries this year. Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Mychel Williams are all on the injured reserve. Tatum Bethune and Yetur Gross-Matos are nursing injuries and have been healthy scratches for several weeks. Yet, the Niners are finding a way make plays. This week they held the Browns to one score. Last week they held the Panthers to nine points. The only other team they have held to ten or less points were the Atlanta Falcons.
The 49ers recent success on defense is attributable to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the front office. Coach Saleh has a roster full of young defenders to wrangle and coach up. Over the past three weeks, he has found a way to get his defense to continue to improve. The front office has helped by providing him defensive end Keion White at the trade deadline as well as signing Clelin Ferrell off the street.
Ferrell was an easy addition as he has played in the Niners defensive system before. Today, White and Ferrell combined for three sacks. In the last two weeks, Ferrell has secured three sacks. The addition of these veterans is greatly assisting the Niners young defensive roster. Of course, coaching helps as well.
The secondary continues to improve week to week. Last week Ji’Ayir Brown secured two critical interceptions to end Panthers drives. This week, the Niners secondary held Sanders to a mere 149 yards passing.
The 49ers are heading into a much-needed bye week. Several players on defense are banged up. Kyle Juszczyk left the field late in the first half. They just need a break. The Niners will rest up, recharge and get ready to face the Titans in two weeks!
