By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe San Francisco 49ers extended their streak on Sunday with a 26-8 road victory over the Cleveland Browns that moved the 49ers up to 9-4 on the season and right near the top of the NFC West pecking order.
Brock Purdy, who missed multiple games earlier this year with a lingering toe problem, completed 16 of 29 for 168 yards, one passing touchdown, and a rushing score.
Christian McCaffrey ground out 53 rushing yards and the opening TD, while George Kittle chipped in four catches for 67 yards.
Kittle reflected after the game on the adversity the team has faced and the challenges still to come.
"If people would have said, 'Hey, you guys are going to be 9-4 going into the bye, and you're not going to have Fred Warner or Nick Bosa, and Kittle's going to miss the first five weeks, and Brock (Purdy's) going to miss six, seven games,' I think a lot of people would have laughed at everybody."
"Kudos to our coaching staff, Coach (Kyle) Shanahan, (John) Lynch, for bringing in the right guys to fill in those spots, developing players to take advantage of those situations. I mean, it's fantastic. I think we're set up really well."
"Our message (going into the bye week) is just like, 'Hey, get away, do whatever you have to do. But just remember, when we come back, we have four incredibly difficult games that are going to hopefully set us up to do something fun.'"
Loading twitter content...
Read More: Browns Star Defender Carted Off With Concerning Knee Injury Against 49ers
The 49ers have had to shuffle their rotations time and again this NFL season.
Defensive anchor Nick Bosa was lost to a torn ACL in September, while All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner suffered a season-ending fractured, dislocated ankle in October, and Kittle suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five early games.
Add in Purdy's toe injury that cost him eight starts, and the laundry list looks alarming on paper.
Yet, Sunday’s outcome was another reminder of how dangerous the 49ers can be.
...Read More: NFL Announces Punishment for Bears WR DJ Moore After Steelers Incident
San Francisco sits 9-4 with a Week 14 bye and a closing slate of Tennessee, at Indianapolis, vs. Chicago, and a flex matchup with Seattle.
Those games will determine whether the Niners secure a top-seed path or are forced into a tougher road through the NFC bracket.
For now, the 49ers are still very much in the playoff conversation, and they have proven they can win even without their best players.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Rams vs Panthers: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Jaguars vs Titans: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Cardinals vs Buccaneers: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Saints vs Dolphins: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
NFLChiefs, Patrick Mahomes Get Striking Prediction Following Cowboys Defeat3 min read
NFLSevere Weather Expected for Shedeur Sanders’ First Browns Home Start2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
PoliticsKristi Noem Says National Guard Shooter Was ‘Radicalized’ in the US5 min read
WorldVenezuela Hits Back After Donald Trump Announces Airspace Closure4 min read
NewsPope Leo Backs a Palestinian State During Mideast Trip: ‘Only Solution’5 min read
NewsThousands of Flights Delayed, Hundreds Canceled as Winter Storm Lashes US3 min read
NewsDonald Trump Has Taken Prince Harry’s Crown8 min read
NewsNetanyahu Requests Pardon from Israeli President After Trump Push4 min readTrending
WeatherWinter Storm Warning As 13 Inches of Snow To Strike: ‘Extreme Caution’3 min read
NcaaNick Saban Has Harsh Message for Ole Miss Amid Lane Kiffin Decision3 min read
Donald TrumpMap Shows Donald Trump’s Approval Rating in Each State After 10 Months4 min read
AldiAldi Recall Update: Customers Told Discard Christmas Products ‘Immediately’3 min read
NWSWinter Storm Warning as 8 Inches of Snow to Hit North and Midwest3 min readOpinion
OpinionRedefining Professional Degrees Will Hurt Everyday Americans | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAI Is Coming for Our Most Intimate Communications. Congress Must Act | Opinion5 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Thanksgiving Tragedies Edition3 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read