In an ugly and embarrassing performance in Cleveland, the San Francisco 49ers dropped to 5-1 after a 19-17 loss to the Browns.
The game started off well with an opening touchdown drive, but that was just about all 49ers fans had to celebrate. The defense wasn't good, but the offense was horrible. They couldn't throw, couldn't block, couldn't catch.
Unfortunately, all three of those things are important for an offense to score.
Christian McCaffrey (oblique/rib) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) both left the game with injuries. We'll have to see the severity of the injuries. Both could potentially miss the Monday night game against Minnesota. Trent Williams was in a walking boot after the game. And Deommodore Lenoir left the game with what looked like a calf injury, hopefully just cramps.
Here's what jumped out to me during the game:
- Another opening touchdown drive for the 49ers. Yawn.
#49ers' opening drives:
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 15, 2023
* Week 1: TD
* Week 2: TD
* Week 3: FG
* Week 4: TD
* Week 5: TD
* Week 6: TD
- McCaffrey. All he does is score touchdowns.
Scheduled tweet:
Christian McCaffrey with a TD for the 15th consecutive game. He's only two behind Lenny Moore's all-time NFL record of 17.
— Matt Maiocco (Threads @maiocconbcs) (@MaioccoNBCS) October 15, 2023
- Second game in a row that a Spencer Burford penalty nullified a first down. This was a bad game for Burford overall.
- Ambry Thomas must not have been content playing badly on defense. Now he's doing it on special teams.
- I'm not used to seeing 2023 Brandon Aiyuk drop passes.
- The Browns' defense is as good as advertised.
- Horrible missed tackle by Talanoa Hufanga on the big pass play in the second quarter.
- I had multiple people call me an idiot last week because I said this would be a stiff test for the 49ers. None of them reached out to apologize.
- Brock Purdy had some Jimmy Garoppolo-type throws in this game. Not his best game.
- The 49ers defense gave up too many big plays.
- Welcome to the 49ers, Randy Gregory. Huge first sack.
First sack in the red and gold! @RandyGregory_4
📺 #SFvsCLE on FOX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 15, 2023
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/2WEmgS89vg
- The offensive line has been good most of the season. They were awful in Cleveland.
- This was the sloppiest game under Kyle Shanahan since the Denver debacle in week 3 last season. Or maybe the Kansas City game last season.
- The 49ers have been relatively healthy this season. That ended in week 6.
- Penalties kill.
- This was easily Purdy's worst game. He missed a lot of throws.
- The huge interception by Lenoir led to a huge touchdown run by Jordan Mason.
MASSIVE interception by Deommodore Lenoir
🎥 @49ers
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 15, 2023
- By the way, is Lenior becoming the 49ers' top corner?
- Isaiah Oliver is a really solid tackler.
- I didn't expect to see the Browns run the ball so well against the 49ers defense.
- George Kittle was the invisible man.
- Did I mention this wasn't the best game for the offensive line?
- The personal foul penalty called on Tashaun Gipson was horrible.
Horrible call against Tashaun Gipson, @NFLOfficiating pic.twitter.com/3WzI1pCOZB
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 15, 2023
- The defense gave up 19 points to a team starting a career backup at QB.
- Jake "not money" Moody.
Moody will get the blame, but the 49ers should never have put their rookie kicker in that position. Brutal loss and a horrible game from the team that's supposed to be the best in the league. Still, Moody needs to hit that kick. Rookie or not.
After the game, Nick Bosa said, "I don't think we deserved to win today."
I agree.
- Marc Adams
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Written by:Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
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