49ers Week 13 Preview: Can Myles Garrett Carry the Browns?
This week the San Francisco 49ers head to Cleveland to take on the now Shedeur Sanders-led Browns. If Myles Garrett and the Browns defense isn’t enough of a challenge, the 49ers will have to face one of their toughest opponents in the Brock Purdy era: inclement weather. Sunday’s forecast is Cleveland is calling for precipitation in the morning, which may impact the game if the lake effect comes into effect as Huntington Bank Field is a stone’s throw away from Lake Erie. Much conversation has been made as to whether Brock Purdy will wear a glove to help gripping the football, but he stated that he will not wear one.
The 49ers have not had much success recently against the Browns winning only two of the last seven matchups. It has been over 40 years, since 1984 to be exact, since the 49ers have won in Cleveland. On paper this would appear to be a game that the 49ers should be able to win with little resistance, but having to face the elements, Garrett, and Kyle Shanahan’s personal foil in Brown’s defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, this game will be no easy task.
Currently sitting at 8-4 with the playoffs well within reach, this is a game that the 49ers have to have with tougher matchups coming up against Chicago, Indianapolis, and Seattle.
Notable Injuries
49ers
LB Tatum Bethune (ankle)
K Eddy Pineiro (hamstring)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (ankle)
LB Luke Gifford (hip/calf)
Browns
TE David Njoku (knee)
CB Denzel Ward (migraine)
LB Carson Schwesinger (ankle)
QB Dillon Gabriel (concussion)
Matchups to Watch
Trent Williams vs Myles Garrett
For the 49ers to walk out of Cleveland with a victory, their game plan must start with neutralizing Cleveland’s defensive front, and most specifically DE Myles Garrett. Garrett has been on a tear in recent weeks with 13 of his 18 sacks for the season coming in his last four games. Trent Williams is the 49ers best hope to slow down the soon to be Defensive Player of the Year, but I would imagine that Kyle Shanahan will scheme up some help for him to keep Brock Purdy upright. In their 2023 meeting, Garrett was held without a sack, but Williams was injured in the game and missed the next couple of weeks.
Kyle Shanahan vs Jim Schwartz
Throughout his career as an offensive coordinator and head coach, Kyle Shanahan has been unable to figure out Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, as he has a 1-8 career record against him while only averaging 15.7 points in those matchups. While the Browns enter this game with only three wins on the season, two of those wins have come against Matt Lafleur and the Packers and Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins, both Shanahan disciples. While Shanahan is steadfast in how his offense operates, I would expect to see some new wrinkles in an attempt to throw Schwartz and the Browns defense off of their gameplan.
Brock Purdy vs. the Lake Effect
It is no secret at this point that some of Brock Purdy’s less impressive performances of his career have come in bad weather conditions. With the forecast calling for heavy wind and precipitation on Sunday morning in Cleveland, a lot of attention will be on Purdy’s ball security as he has already stated he has no plans to wear a glove on his throwing hand. Purdy’s ability to protect the football will be paramount in the 49ers effort to improve to 9-4 on the season.
The 49ers Win, IF…
Getting the running game going against the Browns defensive front is going to be the key to the offense on Sunday. The Browns top ranked defense has held opponents to only 57.3 yards rushing average on the season, so Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. will have their hands full. If Shanahan and Purdy can work in some strong play-action and screen plays hopefully they keep the Browns defense off balance with a quick strike offense.
The Browns Win, IF…
For the Browns, it is simply about letting their defense dictate the game and giving Shedeur Sanders good field position consistently. If the Browns defensive front can get to Purdy and make him uncomfortable, it could be a long day in Northeast Ohio for the traveling Faithful. Expect a heavy dose of Quinshon Judkins early in an effort to get Sanders comfortable and in a rhythm.
Final Thoughts
The 49ers enter this game as 4.5 favorites over the home team, but don’t let that fool you. With the weather conditions forecasted to be unfavorable, this could be a very ugly and low scoring game. Turnovers will tell the story of this game when all is said and done. If Brock Purdy can stay relatively clean and distribute the ball effectively without being impacted by the weather, the 49ers should be able to continue their winning streak headed into their week 14 bye week.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Brown 10