Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers Week 13 Predictions – An equalizer for the good guys?

This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the San Francisco 49ers. Below, we analyze a few advantages, disadvantages, or general thoughts about the two teams before getting to our predictions for the game.

A Test of Epic Proportions

Call it delusion or call it faith, but Cleveland Browns fans are buying in on an upset against the San Francisco 49ers this week. A lot of that stems on the belief or hope that Shedeur Sanders has that moxy and little bit of edge that the Browns needed on offense to successfully pair with the defense to win football games.

It might seem delusional to take the 3-8 Browns over the 8-4 49ers, considering that Cleveland only performed against one of the worst teams in the NFL last week in the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the elements might line up for Cleveland this week for a variety of factors.

under normal weather conditions, I’d be taking the 49ers. They are generally a smart, veteran, disciplined team. However, high wind gusts are expected for gametime with a chance of precipitation, elements that do not favor quarterback Brock Purdy or a 49ers team that has not won in Cleveland since 1984. Couple that with the fact that the 49ers generate some of the least amount of pressure in the NFL, and I think you can have a similar formula of the Browns’ defense dominating the game, and Sanders making some more plays outside the pocket to propel the offense.

All of these games are big for Sanders and the Browns, because there is a small window to determine whether Cleveland needs to invest in a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. A lackluster performance here or a loss kind of takes away the buzz that has been built over the past week or so. Another win, though? Now you’ll really have people talking.

Quick Hitters

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about the 49ers and how they use motion in their offense:

“Yeah, you could probably dial back to Miami week and the same conversations we had. You know, a couple of years ago, it was a little bit more unique with San Francisco was doing in some of their motions. And some of their tree has done some of that, including Mike (McDaniel) down in Miami. But other offensive coordinators have copied it, so it has given us more opportunities to work on it. But it certainly, like I said, the scheme is extremely challenging. Not just from a schematic standpoint, but from a personnel standpoint – the way they use all their guys. So, obviously, the ability to counter all those motions – a big part of that is having your eyes correct and good communication, things that we did a really good job with against Miami. So, we’ll have to do the same in this game.”

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked about the Browns’ use of the Wildcat and his personal experience with calling it:

“Like ever with the Wildcat? When I was working at Notre Dame, we introduced it. Never got a bunch of… never got a ton of benefit out of it there, just for whatever reason. I think we had it up a few weeks ago, going into the Miami game, just felt like we could gain an extra gap in the run game, gain an extra hat in certain places, makes you really defend in the run specific looks, all 11, without giving up too much of the schematics of it, like there are some real advantages to it. Q has, you know, comfort in doing it and somebody we trust doing it. And you can kind of define the look you’re going to get to attack. Obviously, we’ve had a lot of success here in two small sample sizes of games, but we’ve scored four touchdowns and had some productive runs in the package. You know, our fullback was unavailable there throughout the game. So, that takes you out of certain personnel groupings. So that’s kind of -Wildcat’s, another one you can use in those run heavy situations. And, you know, we don’t use it every week, but it’s something we work on and have in our arsenal and have a lot of confidence in that group of guys, you know, making those plays work and you can kind of define the looks that you’re trying to attack.”

Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone was asked about Gage Larvadain’s big return last week:

“Yeah, it was great. I mean, I thought our guys did a good job being able to stay in phase with their coverage guys down the field. And Gage did a nice job of getting the ball downhill and attacking their coverage. Set up a score, which was great for us. So, hopefully continue to build off of that in the next handful of weeks.”

Some other notes to look forward to:

• I make Jerry Jeudy a key every week, but I still don’t know what the heck he was thinking last week with that fumble. Hopefully all of these receivers see though that Shedeur Sanders has the mindset of keeping a play alive, and if he buys time, they need to be on top of their alertness to find that opening and capitalize.

• The Browns’ blocking effort in the Wildcat is substantially better looking than without it. It’s almost like when they know for sure who their assignment is, they can thrive.

• Special teams had a solid effort last week, let’s see if they can keep it up. The Browns took care of business against the likes of Miami and Las Vegas, but the reason things went awry against the Jets was due to special teams.

Predictions

Here are predictions from multiple staff members at DBN:

Chris Pokorny: “Sometimes, those weird statistics don’t lie. The 49ers are coming across the country, haven’t won in Cleveland in awhile, and the weather conditions aren’t in their favor. The Browns’ defense will be as fierce as ever.” Browns 20, 49ers 13

Jared Mueller: “Called it homer-ism. Called it Thanksgiving hopeful-ism. Call it stupidity but I saw the Cleveland Browns beat the San Francisco 49ers with PJ Walker at quarterback and a good defense that is not as good as the one they will face in 2025.

The little travel and schedule factors could play a role as well for the visitors.” Browns 20, 49ers 17

Barry Shuck: “The 49ers are a dangerous team when they have the ball. Ranked #2 in passing yards and #3 in passing completions. Their rushing attack is bottom third, which means they will air it out. How to solve this? Another 10 sack game will certainly help. If QBs are being constantly harassed and flushed from the pocket, their production goes waaaaay down. Just ask Geno Smith. Meanwhile, the Browns boast the league’s #4 pass defense. This will be the storyline of the game. These two groups are against each other. Vegas loves the Niners. My gut says San Fran, but on paper, I am going to pick the Browns in an upset if the offensive line gives a solid pocket. San Fran can be a roller coaster.” Browns 27, 49ers 24

Curtiss Brown: “The last time these two teams played, we saw a pregame scuffle on the field which led to the Browns physically manhandling the 49ers and pulling off an upset/statement win.

Fast forward to now and the two teams are in different directions. The 49ers aren’t the same team as they were last year (mainly defensively due to injuries) and their offense still has noticeable stars on that side of the ball. The 49ers are coming off a short week and they have to travel cross country so that could play a factor. I could see the Browns pulling off the upset because for some reason Kyle Shanahan struggles against Jim Schwartz.

Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders played fine last week but the 49ers defense is opportunistic and Robert Saleh has that group playing decent and sound football. The only way Cleveland wins this game if Sanders keeps the Browns offense on schedule and the team plays complementary football. Force QB Brock Purdy to make mistakes, and you have a chance. I don’t see the Browns beating the 49ers this time (even though I they could beat them 2 years ago), just too many questions on how the offense is going to look against a decent and well coached defense.” 49ers 27, Browns 17

Ezweav: “Shedeur showed what looked to be some improvement from the Baltimore game and that’s encouraging.  I think it’s possible that the Raiders being less than awesome could have hidden some deficiencies.  The Niners, while injured, are still a real team and defense and will very likely be much more effective in rattling the rookie (btw shout out to Vegas for taking their tanking operation seriously while we’re out here messing around).

I’m not hopeful.  I would LOVE to be wrong and for the kid to just keep getting better.  My problem is (not that I know anything but) he’s not improving at the things I need to see improvements on (setting protections, stepping up in the pocket as opposed to bailing out of it, hitting the checkdowns, etc.) I just ain’t, at least not substantially.  And hey if he does show cromulent improvement and continues to climb I will give him all the credit in the world.

Alas I think the issue stems from the same thing that wrecks all non-FQB’s: processing speed.  It’s the line of demarcation.  You can have absolutely everything else but if you don’t have that, the rest doesn’t matter nearly as much.  It can improve but there can also be a pretty hard ceiling for all but about 8-14 dudes on the planet at any given time.  Admittedly it’s too early to make that determination I’m just skeptical of a positive eventuation.

Let’s hope I’m wrong!” 49ers 37, Browns 16

Who do you think will win, Browns fans? Let us know in the comments section below.