This victory is the sweetest one so far. No one gave the Browns a chance against the so-called best team in the league. Hell, even some Browns fans were chalking this one up as a loss. It did appear to be pretty daunting. Injuries to key players, starting a third string quarterback, looked lost the previous game played versus Baltimore. San Fransico thought they were going to roll into Cleveland and walk all over the Browns. They even started a pregame fight. Well, the Cleveland defense brought San Fransico back to earth. How good is this Browns defense? Let me tell you.
They’re number one is first downs allowed (52), number one in third down conversion rate percentage allowed (23.1%) and total yards allowed (1002). The Browns played man to man 71% of 49ers QB’s drop backs. Brock Prudy was six of nineteen for 51 yards in those drop backs. Cleveland’s defense plays man to man the sixth highest rate in the league. When they do they allow a QBR rating of 7.5, yards per play of 4.7 yards and a completion rate of 44%. All three categories are number one in the NFL. This defense is elite. They’re number one in defensive efficiency.
On offense, the Browns have some work to do. They’re 30th in offensive efficiency. The running game started to come around, 160 yards rushing is very good considering there’s no Nick Chubb. The offensive line played better considering Joel Bitonio didn’t play and the 49er defense was second in the NFL against the run. Creative play calling helped to set up the run. Even Jedrick Wills had a good game. He still made two or three mistakes, but it was his best game this year, however that’s not a very high bar. Third string quarterback P.J. Walker was good, but still made mistakes. His second interception was a designed QB run, but he thought he saw something and threw the pass. The Browns have played thirteen third string quarterbacks since 1999 and Waker was the first on to win a game. So I’ll take it. This might have been head coach Kevin Stefanski’s best game play calling.
Pro Football Focus ratings: Offense, TE David Njoku (77.7), RT Dawand Jones (73.5), C Ethan Pocic (71.9), WR Amari Cooper (71.3) and Kareem Hunt (69.8). Defense, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (89.8), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (72.9), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (71.7), S Juan Thornhill (70.9) and DE Myles Garrett (66.3).
Moving on, the prevailing thought is QB Deshaun Watson and LG Joel Bitonio will be healthy enough to play next week against the Colts. Watson needs to get back in the grove he had for the last three quarters of the Titan game. Hopefully the offensive play calling will continue to evolve. Enjoy your week Browns fans and stay safe. Go Browns.