Browns' Undisciplined Effort Costs Them in 26-8 Loss to 49ers: Game Notes
The Browns reverted to old habits in their fourth loss at home this season.
The Browns’ inconsistent play and turnovers in key moments cost them as San Francisco steadily pulled away for a 26-8 win at Huntington Bank Field. The loss secures yet another losing season, the 23rd in 27 season since the return. No other team in that time span has more than 17 losing seasons. It has been yet another hard season for Browns fans who deserve better.
For the day, the offense never found its footing against a physical 49ers defense. Shedeur Sanders and the offense endured a long afternoon in his second NFL start, with inconsistent decisions. That included failed big-play opportunities, missed execution on short yardage, and just an overall inability to overcome adversity. Cleveland’s lone bright spot came from a late first-half touchdown drive, but missed opportunities, penalties, and inefficiency on third down defined the day.
Defensively, the Browns battled but were put in too many difficult field-position situations including four where the 49ers only needed a few yards for scoring chances. Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense controlled the tempo, while Christian McCaffrey and company capitalized in the red zone.
The biggest issue on the day, and continues to be throughout the season, is the anemic special teams which allowed yet again another long punt return, muffed a key punt for a turnover, and just hinders the process week-to-week. They have been one of the biggest letdowns none of us saw coming.
At 3-9 the Browns slim and outside chances for a playoff run disappeared today. With four games left, they’ll need to be thinking about the best choices for draft position and that is never a fun place to be.
Here are your Week 13 Game Notes.
Sanders had some strong moments inside the pocket and delivered a dew nice downfield throws but he continues to struggle with processing tempo. He has to speed up his internal clock inside the pocket and get through his reads/progressions with a quicker process. There were plenty of encouraging throws but the down-to-down function isn’t strong enough yet. The ball to Harold Fannin Jr. on the touchdown was his best throw of the day.
The receiver room was fine in this one but can tell is growing tired from the inconsistencies. Jerry Jeudy was missed for a touchdown play early in the game and there was tempo issues throughout. You could see the frustration boil over on the sideline.
Quinshon Judkins once again ran hard and did his job throughout the day. He maximized what was available to him and made plenty of runs happen through his vision and processing. The 91-yard performance we well-earned and he did a nice job in pass protection as well. Dylan Sampson only had four carries but his 23 yards were strong.
Fannin continues to be a threat in the passing game in a way the Browns just don’t have consistently elsewhere. David Njoku has lost his place in the offense as a contributor and Fannin seems to get every meaningful target and opportunity, and rightfully so. Njoku only had 30 snaps to Fannin’s 55.
The offensive line is going through some changes. Wyatt Teller is now rotating with Teven Jenkins at right guard, Jack Conklin was hurt once again, and they are still so inconsistent. The run game has those boom or bust moments but for the game’s early data process it seems as though only Joel Bitonio struggled. We will evaluate with the All-22 tomorrow.
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