Maybe Monday night's defensive performance in the San Francisco 49ers' 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns looked somewhat familiar to one of the team's all-time greats. The defense still has a lot to prove but the early reviews are positive, and former Niners linebacker Patrick Willis took notice.

And it wasn't just the defense that impressed the seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro.


Willis, a fan-favorite, spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers. San Francisco made him the No. 11 overall pick in 2007. Willis retired after the 2014 season.

The 49ers, now 4-0, own the No. 2 ranked defense in total yards and passing yards allowed, No. 4 in points allowed, and No. 5 in rushing yards allowed. The unit still has not allowed a rushing touchdown and San Francisco is the only NFL team that can make that claim.


H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.

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