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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jeff Risdon

Steve Wilks: Browns ‘have to have a great game up front’ vs. 49ers

Looking for one of the big keys to victory for the Cleveland Browns in the Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers? Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks offered a pretty good one in his Friday press conference.

“We have to have a great game up front,” Wilks told reporters. “That’s going to be key.”

He’s right. The 49ers have allowed just two sacks through their three games, though they will play without 6-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley. He broke his leg in Week 2. Rookie Justin Skule took over in Week 3, and the 49ers ran for over 250 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For the Browns to win in San Francisco, the Browns defensive front cannot allow the Niners line to dominate the way it did against AFC North foes Pittsburgh and Cincinnati earlier this season. It’s a big week for DTs Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson to control the middle of the field and allow LBs Joe Schobert and Mack Wilson free range to crash in run support.

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