However, the second half was a different story as San Francisco shut the Browns out on their way to a 26-8 win in Cleveland.
Quinshon Judkins rushed for 91 yards and scored a two-point conversion while Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown to Harold Fannin in the first start of Sanders' career.
Cleveland drops to 3-9 with the loss and will meet 1-11 Tennessee at home next week, with Sanders meeting fellow rookie quarterback Cam Ward for the first time in what appears to be the most likely chance to win in the Browns' final five games.
Brownie Bits
1) Two key plays destroyed the Browns in the second half.
The first came with the Browns still down only 10-8 in the third quarter.
It's fourth and one on their own 33.
I have no problem going for it here, you are 3-8, try some things.
2) I don't even have an issue with a gadget play, but considering the wind is blowing fiercely, the cold weather, and a little thought should go into that factor.
It's a direct snap to Harold Fannin, who is not a quarterback or running back and not accustomed to catching snaps, let alone in bad weather, so of course, Fannin fumbles.
Eight plays later, San Francisco scores on a Brock Purdy run.
3) Then in the fourth quarter, Cleveland forces a punt, still down only 17-8, but it's fumbled by Gage Larvadain at the Browns eighteen and recovered by San Francisco.
Six plays later- touchdown.
4) The coverage unit allowed a sixty-six-yard punt return to Skyy Moore, and Malachi Corley caught a kickoff at the ten while he fell out of bounds, rather than allow the ball to go out of bounds.
Yet, Bubba Ventrone still gets a pass on the constant mistakes from his units.
I don't believe firing him now would make a difference, but Ventrone cannot return next season.
5) Shedeur Sanders made his first start and threw a touchdown without an interception.
Sanders is handicapped by lousy receivers as Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel were but he managed to avoid the big mistake, even at the expense of only moving the ball on one occasion.
6) On that one occasion, Shedeur Sanders showed a glimpse of what he could be with an excellent throw to Harold Fannin, who dragged two defenders into the end zone.
It was the only throw of the day that made you think and hope of a possible future.
7) Sanders also overthrew an open Jerry Jeudy in the first quarter for what would have been a likely touchdown.
The two had a salty exchange on the sidelines during the game and there needs to be some work on the "chemistry" between the rookie and the veteran, both of whom have had their rocky points this season.
8) The Browns wasted another good effort from their defense as the three 49ers touchdowns came on drives of sixteen, eighteen, and thirty-two yards.
I don't care how good your defense is, when you have to defend the short field all day, scores are going to happen.
9) Cleveland's defense took a shot with the loss of defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who had been having an excellent season and the injury looked pretty serious.
Losing Collins and his play up the middle would be a major setback for a defense that has carried this team all season.
10) The Browns offensive line hasn't been great this season but I was surprised to see Kevin Stefanski rotate Wyatt Teller and Tevin Jenkins at guard from series to series.
Of the possible veterans that are able to leave next season (Jack Conklin, Ethan Pocic, Teller, and Joel Bitonio, who may retire), Teller would be my choice as the one to keep, if I had to choose one.
I'm wondering why the decision was made and could it hurt the chances of keeping Teller for 2026?
11) The Browns should beat an even worse Tennesssee team (one win) at home next week.
But what if they don't?
The Titans aren't as good as the Browns and should Cleveland somehow lose this game, this will be another three win season as I don't see them winning any of their final four games against three playoff contenders (Bears, Bills, Steelers) and on the road against the Bengals and the returning Joe Burrow.
In my opinion, if the Browns lose at home to the Titans, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski will have sealed their eventual fate.
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