Ohio’s Cleveland — The Browns’ bye week was effectively utilized by Kevin Stefanski and his offensive staff in their preparation for the formidable San Francisco defense.
Making a safe and effective game plan for backup quarterback P.J. Walker came first. The rookie quarterback for the Browns completed 18 of 34 passes for 192 yards, but more significantly, he displayed poise and leadership to give his team a chance to win.
More news about the Cleveland Browns
Will Deshaun Watson play for the Browns in their game against the Colts? Mary Kay, hey!
Joel Bitonio and Cedric Tillman of the Browns are anticipated to return for the Colts game; Anthony Walker Jr. is in the concussion protocol
The Bro
The following challenge was to assess their performance over the first four weeks and develop a strategy that would be effective but conservative versus the 49ers. That required building on plays from earlier in the year and going after the tenacious 49ers front, which was anchored by Nick Bosa.
wns’ victory over the 49ers in Week 6 had both winners and losers.
Take a look at these two plays to see how Stefanski’s strategy versus San Francisco worked:
1. Hunt’s TD run of 16 yards
Harrison Bryant served as the quarterback for the Browns’ short-yardage sneaks throughout the first month of the season. Stefanski made adjustments in light of his knowledge that the 49ers would be prepared.
What happened next is described in the play you can see here.
The 49ers anticipated a quarterback sneak once Bryant took Walker’s position on a third-and-1 play at the San Francisco 16-yard line. The Browns sprinted out of the huddle in imitation of their standard quarterback sneak action. But they also moved, giving their left side an off-balance appearance.
David Njoku moves to the right tackle position when there are three offensive linemen on the left side. Amari Cooper is aligned just outside of receiver David Bell, who lines up one yard outside of Jedrick Wills Jr. Jordan Akins, a tight end, will signal to the off-balance side to kick Deommodore Lenoir out. Kareem Hunt, the running back, aligns over Michael Dunn, enabling him to move to the outside more quickly
.
The offensive line as a whole will take its outside zone steps and reach sharply to their left as the action begins. In preparation for a quarterback sneak, the defensive line jams up within the A and B gaps. Bell adopts a clever stance to assist Wills linebacker Fred Warner in being double-teamed. Lenoir is kicked out by Akins as Cooper approaches safety Tashawn Gipson.
Hunt had an easy 16-yard run because the Browns totally outnumbered and outplayed San Francisco.