The best thing about the Browns’ performance on Monday Night Football in San Francisco is that it’s over. It could not have ended soon enough.
The Browns had a great opportunity to prove themselves on national television. With everyone watching, the 49ers dominated the game. It was not competitive whatsoever, like watching a Big Ten power wiping the field with a bottom-feeding MAC squad. The 31-3 final score doesn’t do justice to how thoroughly the 49ers dropped the curtain on the Browns.
Freddie Kitchens’ Browns were supposed to be the power team, not the scrub brush. Instead, the unbeaten 49ers proved they were ready for prime time and the hype and the Browns got thoroughly blown out for the second time in five games.
Baker Mayfield played poorly. He got no help from his offensive line, which got no help from the tight ends, which got no help from the play calls. The entire offense, save Nick Chubb, was unacceptably bad.
The defense flashed capability at times, though not nearly enough early in the game. Tackling and gap discipline was a recurring issue, and the safeties collectively had a rough night.
Odell Beckham Jr. had at least one drop and an inexplicable fumble on an inexplicable punt return opportunity. Antonio Callaway effectively handed an INT at the goal line to the Niners defense. Jermaine Whitehead missed two tackles on the same Matt Breida run by doing nothing more than striking him with a shoulder.
The comedy of errors had too many lead actors wearing white and orange. It was a tragic turn of events from Week 4’s joyous romp in Baltimore. It’s time for Kitchens to direct a more consistent play, one that doesn’t leave Browns fans in tears of shame any more.
