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This Monday night matchup pits the off-season champions of 2019, the plucky young Cleveland Browns, against the off-season champions of 2018: The Silicon Valley 49ers. I can't bring myself to call a team that moved an hour drive away from the city the San Francisco 49ers anymore. Anyways, this matchup is fabulous!
Injury update:
Niners: CB Akhello Witherspoon and LT Joe Staley are expected to be out, RB Tevin Coleman expected to make his debut as a 49er. Dee Ford has been listed as questionable with tendonitis in his quad/knee, so there is a chance he sees the field in a limited capacity. Their flagship radio station declared him out Friday, but then Ford practiced a little Saturday.
Browns: Starting cornerbacks Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward have not practiced all week along with LB Willie Harvey and swing tackle Kendall Lamm. SS Morgan Burnett has been a limited participant in practice. The Browns defensive back depth has allowed Wilks to rest his starters until they are 100%.
Everything you need to know about the Niners:
The Niners defense went from okay to very good with the addition of playmaking linebacker Kwon Alexander and two new edge rushers: Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. Bosa looks like a future Pro Bowler. The quick pass rush specialist Ford will not be a full participant and some reports say he won't play at all. When on the field, the addition of Ford pushed Arik Armstead inside, where he can play the three technique and disrupt. With Ford reportedly out, Armstead goes back to being a run stuffing end who doesn't have the speed to pressure the edge. Busty Solomon Thomas likely bumps up to three tech. However, this is still a front seven who gets turnovers and frustrates offenses. DeForest Buckner might be the best interior defensive tackle in the NFL. Both Alexander and Fred Warner are as solid in pass coverage as they are stout against the run.
Emmanuel Moseley is an undrafted free agent who will be a starting outside corner. Richard Sherman is still as good as ever, but he exclusively plays the left outside corner. That means Kitchens can scheme OBJ up against the rookie to take shots at big plays.
Tarvarius Moore is a fast second year free safety with great tools, but he likes going for kill shots as a tackler instead of being more conservative in his angles. I really like the matchup of Moore biting on misdirection and play action. Their defensive coordinator has mentioned oft-injured veteran Jimmy Ward playing a larger role this week. Ward is a versatile back who can play multiple defensive back positions.
For the Niners offense, Kyle Shanahan seems to finally have the skill position talent he lacked when taking over as head coach. Expect the Niners to use three or four running backs to stay fresh in the run and as pass catchers. Marquise Goodwin is the fastest player in the NFL and has a decent rapport with Jimmy G. Their best player is TE George Kittle, who will prove to be a big test for Schobert and Wilson in the soft spots of the defense. Jimmy G has not been accurate so far this season. With a young backup playing left tackle, Myles Garrett has a chance to make Bad Jimmy come out to play and keep Good Jimmy lost in the year 2017.
Expect a low scoring game with both teams hoping to win the turnover battle.
Injury update:
Niners: CB Akhello Witherspoon and LT Joe Staley are expected to be out, RB Tevin Coleman expected to make his debut as a 49er. Dee Ford has been listed as questionable with tendonitis in his quad/knee, so there is a chance he sees the field in a limited capacity. Their flagship radio station declared him out Friday, but then Ford practiced a little Saturday.
Browns: Starting cornerbacks Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward have not practiced all week along with LB Willie Harvey and swing tackle Kendall Lamm. SS Morgan Burnett has been a limited participant in practice. The Browns defensive back depth has allowed Wilks to rest his starters until they are 100%.
Everything you need to know about the Niners:
The Niners defense went from okay to very good with the addition of playmaking linebacker Kwon Alexander and two new edge rushers: Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. Bosa looks like a future Pro Bowler. The quick pass rush specialist Ford will not be a full participant and some reports say he won't play at all. When on the field, the addition of Ford pushed Arik Armstead inside, where he can play the three technique and disrupt. With Ford reportedly out, Armstead goes back to being a run stuffing end who doesn't have the speed to pressure the edge. Busty Solomon Thomas likely bumps up to three tech. However, this is still a front seven who gets turnovers and frustrates offenses. DeForest Buckner might be the best interior defensive tackle in the NFL. Both Alexander and Fred Warner are as solid in pass coverage as they are stout against the run.
Emmanuel Moseley is an undrafted free agent who will be a starting outside corner. Richard Sherman is still as good as ever, but he exclusively plays the left outside corner. That means Kitchens can scheme OBJ up against the rookie to take shots at big plays.
Tarvarius Moore is a fast second year free safety with great tools, but he likes going for kill shots as a tackler instead of being more conservative in his angles. I really like the matchup of Moore biting on misdirection and play action. Their defensive coordinator has mentioned oft-injured veteran Jimmy Ward playing a larger role this week. Ward is a versatile back who can play multiple defensive back positions.
For the Niners offense, Kyle Shanahan seems to finally have the skill position talent he lacked when taking over as head coach. Expect the Niners to use three or four running backs to stay fresh in the run and as pass catchers. Marquise Goodwin is the fastest player in the NFL and has a decent rapport with Jimmy G. Their best player is TE George Kittle, who will prove to be a big test for Schobert and Wilson in the soft spots of the defense. Jimmy G has not been accurate so far this season. With a young backup playing left tackle, Myles Garrett has a chance to make Bad Jimmy come out to play and keep Good Jimmy lost in the year 2017.
Expect a low scoring game with both teams hoping to win the turnover battle.
