Browns Studs and Duds: Who dominated and disappointed in win over 49ers?
The Cleveland Browns upset the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. It was the biggest upset win for the Browns since the team defeated the New Orleans Saints in 2010. The win helped galvanize a downtrodden team, suffering from injuries to offensive leaders. From Amari Cooper to Wyatt Teller, we break down the Browns’ studs and duds from this game.
The Browns started the game fighting, quite literally during an exchange between 49ers’ wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Browns’ safety Juan Thornhill. It’s unsure what was said, but the pregame festivities set the intensity for the game. The game was a hard-hitting, action-packed mud fight. Even the refs were frazzled at times.
The Browns’ defense led the effort against the 49ers. The number one-ranked Browns’ defense knew this was a title fight for the best defense in football. They came out victorious, shutting down a top-3 49ers offense and reigniting a debate around their franchise quarterback. If only every win could inspire an opponent to have an identity crisis. I thought Brock Purdy did a good job of getting rid of the ball quickly.
He avoided Myles Garrett and Dalvin Tomlinson who lived in the backfield all day. The box scores won’t represent that fact. But 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams called Myles Garrett a future Hall of Famer. That’s high praise coming from the best left tackle since Joe Thomas retired. This week’s Studs and Duds showcases the box score stuffers, in both the good and the bad ways.
Stud: RB Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt started the game for the Browns with the familiar energy that made him a fan favorite. Hunt looked quicker than he has in years. The slimmed-down running back still runs with the kinetic energy of a pinball. His legs are in constant motion, and Hunt twists, turns, and fights out of every tackle attempt.
Hunt had a humble stat line, only amassing 71 yards through the air and ground. His 19-yard touchdown run was the highlight of the day. The run was a pin-pull concept, a staple in the Browns’ offense over the past few years, but noticeably absent this year. Hunt’s return is helping to open the playbook. I’m looking forward to Hunt building on this performance as the Browns take on the Colts next week.
Stud: CB Martin Emerson Jr.
Martin Emerson Jr. recorded his first career interception against the 49ers. The second-year cornerback was bound to get an interception sooner or later. Emerson has done a fantastic job in coverage this season. He is in the hip pocket of any receiver across from him, and Emerson is adept at mirroring receivers’ hands. Emerson had two additional pass breakups on Sunday.
Emerson was tenacious in the run game, finishing the game with six tackles. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan loves attacking cornerbacks in their run game, as they’re usually the least physical defenders on the field. That is not the case for Emerson who relishes every opportunity to put his hands on someone.
Emerson helped limit an offense built on the run game and yards after catch opportunities with his unyielding force. The extra physicality can get him in trouble, as he was called for pass interference during the 49ers’ final drive, it’s a risk worth living with to maximize his aggressive style.
Emerson is quietly putting together a Pro Bowl season, and shutting down Brandon Aiyuk is a great step in that journey.
Stud: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was all over the field on Sunday. He finished the game with five tackles, three tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and a sack. He was evasive and powerful, when he struck it was as if he were lightning. His energy was palpable. The warrior was leading the charge in every defensive celebration too.
Owusu-Koramoah was a nightmare for an opposing offense that loves to confuse and pick on linebackers. At the end of the season, we could look back at this game as Owusu-Koramoah’s breakout performance. The linebacker is angling for an All-Pro selection and he looked the part on Sunday. His ability to impact the game in every phase showed how special of a player he is.
His impact on Sunday rivaled that of 49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner. A special season is in store for the third-year linebacker.
Stud: WR Amari Cooper
Amari Cooper is no longer a Dallas Cowboy, but his star is shining brighter than ever. Before the game, P.J. Walker asked Jacoby Brissett if he had any advice, and Brissett told the quarterback to get Cooper the ball. Cooper had four receptions for 108 yards. It’s really that simple for him. Nothing showcased Cooper’s effortless craftsmanship quite like the impressive toe-touch catch he had during the game.
He made the acrobatic catch look like a routine speed-out. It was beautiful – truly poetry in motion. Cooper’s reliability is something the Browns need to lean strongly into. The 29-year-old receiver needs to become a larger focal point in the Browns’ offense going forward. Every week Cooper reminds us fans that he is still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Dud: RG Wyatt Teller
Unfortunately, Wyatt Teller receives the only Dud for the day. The former All-Pro hasn’t looked like his usual self this year. Teller has been a constant source of missed blocks. The lineman had a difficult time communicating with his right-hand man, rookie Dawand Jones. Missed assignments in the run game is a troublesome, but not uncommon problem amongst linemen. However, there’s no excuse for miscommunicating on passing plays. A free pass rusher with a full
head of steam can get a quarterback injured. It’s a far costlier and unacceptable mistake for a lineman. Which is why I was so confused to see Wyatt Teller fail to pass off Nick Bosa. The reigning defensive player of the year needs to be accounted for on every play. While Bosa wins a lot of pass reps, the Browns cannot quickly surrender to him. There were multiple plays where Teller failed to execute his blocking assignment. Teller is playing scared and indecisive this season. The Browns need him to re-enter the berserker mindset that made him one of the most dangerous guards in the game. I know that player is still there.
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