The 49ers look to stay undefeated Monday night against the 2-2 Cleveland Browns. San Francisco is coming off their bye week, which followed a sloppy 24-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns did play last week, defeating the Baltimore Ravens 40-25 in their most impressive win of the year.
Here are the three matchups that could decide the Week 5 game:
Nick Bosa vs. Greg Robinson
It appears that Bosa is fully recovered from his high ankle sprain that he suffered in training camp, so he should see a higher snap count Monday. He has been the 49ers’ best pass rusher so far, creating a team-high 17 pressures. He’s shown the ability to get into the backfield and disrupt the passer, but he has to do better about finishing. He has just one sack in his 17 pressures.
Robinson has allowed just one sack on the season, but has already been called for four penalties, tied for 10th most in the league among tackles. The Browns’ line as a whole has struggled though. Mayfield has been sacked 12 times, which is the eighth-highest mark in the league.
Mayfield has a 90.9 passer rating with a clean pocket, but a 43.4 rating while under pressure. With Dee Ford’s status up in the air, that puts more pressure on Bosa to get to Mayfield.
Justin Skule vs. Myles Garrett
Skule allowed just two pressures in his first career start back in Week 3, but he was called for three penalties in the win. With Joe Staley still out, Skule will be the starter at left tackle again Monday night. The 49ers’ offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL with a 91.0 pass blocking efficiency according to Pro Football Focus. That’s the third-best mark in the league.
The sixth-round rookie will have a tough test against the Browns and Garrett. Garrett has 18 pressures and 6.0 sacks this season, although he struggled last week against the Ravens with one pressure and one sack. He will be used on both sides of the line, but he could be used more on the right side to match up against Skule as opposed to second-year tackle Mike McGlinchey.
Skule played fine against Pittsburgh, but Garrett is a different challenge. Skule will need to improve Monday, and Kyle Shanahan will need to scheme to prevent Garrett from being in the backfield all night.
Emmanuel Moseley vs. Odell Beckham
Moseley will make the first start of his NFL career Monday night. He took over the second cornerback spot in Week 3 after Ahkello Witherspoon suffered a foot injury, and replaced Jason Verrett after Verrett allowed a a long touchdown. Moseley spent eight games on the practice squad last season before being called up prior to Week 9 and played exclusively on special teams before a shoulder injury ended his season.
His first start will feature a tough matchup against one of the best receivers in the league in Beckham. The former Giant has 21 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown on 34 targets this year, while playing an important role opening the Browns offense in all three levels of the passing game. Beckham could be the featured receiver in the Cleveland offense when matched up against Moseley.
While Beckham will line up on both sides of the ball, expect a majority of them to be against the first-time starter. It’ll be important for Richard Sherman to lock down the right side of the Browns offense to allow safeties to help over the top with Moseley.
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