49ers Head To Cleveland To Face A Browns Team In Turmoil
By Sam McPherson
The San Francisco 49ers scored their first road win of the season last weekend in Chicago against the Bears, and now the team goes farther east to the state of Ohio for its next game against the Cleveland Browns. It could be the first time this season the 49ers play a team in worse shape than they are, and that's something to be noted 14 weeks into the 2015 NFL season.
It's also a chance for San Francisco to win two straight road games for the first time since the middle of the 2014 season. After beating the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants in back-to-back road games in November last year, the 49ers lost seven straight games away from Levi's Stadium before Sunday's win at Soldier Field.
Season Record
The Cleveland Browns are just 2-10 this year, and they have the worst record in the NFL. In Week 2, the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans at home, and in Week 5, Cleveland traveled to Baltimore and beat the Ravens in overtime. Otherwise, the season has been pretty bad for the Browns, as they have been outscored by 11 points a game on average—the worst margin in the league.
Browns on Offense
Quarterback Austin Davis is the third starter the Browns have used this year, after Josh McCown (now injured and out for the season) and Johnny Manziel (off-the-field issues) combined for a 2-9 record through the first 11 games. Davis started eight games for the St. Louis Rams in 2014, incidentally, going 1-1 against the 49ers. He has an 84.8 career QB rating, which isn't bad.
The Browns do have some talent on offense, including wide receiver Travis Benjamin (826 yards, five touchdowns) and tight end Gary Barnidge (817 yards, seven TDs). Cleveland lacks a potent running attack, however, which has put whichever QB is on the field in tight spots all season long.
Browns on Defense
Linebacker Karlos Dansby is the team's leading tackler, and he's a takedown machine—much like San Francisco's NaVorro Bowman. He's also scored twice this season on interception returns, so Dansby must be accounted for on every play the 49ers offense runs. Former S.F. defender Donte Whitner leads the Browns secondary with 66 tackles this season. Cleveland doesn't have much of a pass rush, however, as the team leader (defensive end Armonty Bryant) only has 3.5 sacks this season. Dansby also leads the team in picks with three.
Browns Players to Watch
Barnidge and Benjamin are capable of making big plays, and together they've scored more than half of Cleveland's offensive TDs this year. Obviously, Davis has to get them the ball, although the 49ers may see more of Manziel as the Browns try to sort out their plans for 2016. Manziel is a dynamic, albeit error-prone young QB who could cause the S.F. defense some headaches if he sees the field this weekend. Defensively, as noted, Dansby has to be picked up on every play, while Whitner may want to make a big impression on his old team with some big hits.
Outlook
The Browns have lost seven games in a row, and their incentive to win is disappearing as the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft becomes more a possibility. Cleveland has a one-game "lead" on the Titans and the San Diego Chargers in that race to finish last in the NFL. Browns fans are loyal if not critical, and the team will see some boos at home if the 49ers are able to come in and push the home team around the field.
San Francisco should win this game, by building on the momentum from the win in Chicago and a growing confidence in QB Blaine Gabbert.
Sam McPherson is a freelance writer covering baseball, football, basketball, golf, hockey and fantasy sports for CBS, AXS and Examiner. He also is an Ironman triathlete and certified triathlon coach.
