The San Francisco 49ers have scored 30 or more points in eight consecutive games, a franchise record. This is the longest streak in the NFL since the Denver Broncos won 11 straight games from Week 15 of 2012 to Week 8 of 2013.
Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns could be in danger of ending San Francisco’s record-setting streak.
Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz owns 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The two have faced each other nine times since 2008, eight of those times as head coaches or coordinators. Schwartz has held Shanahan’s offense to just 15.7 points per game while winning eight games, including the last seven.
As the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator in 2016, Shanahan’s offense got off to a strong start. Through the first nine weeks of the season, the Falcons averaged 33.8 points per game.
In Week 10, they traveled to Philadelphia to face an Eagles defense led by Schwartz.
The Falcons scored just 15 points in a 23-15 loss.
Shanahan was asked Wednesday during his weekly media availability about the challenges facing a Browns defense that allows just 196.8 yards per game.
“They rush the passer on every play, and then they react to everything else. It’s a problem that Myles Garrett has combined with Schwartz’s scheme and the guys around him. The reason they’re a top defense right now is It’s obvious.
“When you have the D-line, downhill linebackers that they have, it’s better to have some good corners, and they have very good corners. They do a lot of one-on-one interviews. They will mix in some zone. But if he plays man-to-man this much and also has the league’s No. 1 pass defense, he should also have some good corner kicks. ”
In a twist, it may be Shanahan’s defense that proves the difference Sunday.
Cleveland will likely be without starting QB Deshaun Watson on Sunday. The veteran quarterback missed the Browns’ final game on Oct. 1 with a shoulder injury and has not yet practiced.
If Watson can’t go, all signs point to Cleveland moving on to P.J. Walker.
Advantage 49ers.
Walker started seven career games for the Carolina Panthers from 2020-2022. He completed 57.5 percent of his passes, threw 11 interceptions and only five touchdowns.
Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Browns will be without Nick Chubb. Chubb lost his season with a knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the two games since losing Chubb, Cleveland has gained just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt.