The San Francisco 49ers walked into Cleveland on Sunday, stared down the wind, the cold, and one of the league’s fiercest pass rushers-and walked out with their third straight win and a 9-4 record heading into a long-awaited bye week. It wasn’t flashy, and it wasn’t perfect, but it was a statement: this team doesn’t flinch.
Down multiple key players on both sides of the ball, the 49ers didn’t just survive-they dominated the second half, outscoring the Browns 16-0 to seal a 26-8 win. And they did it with a mix of grit, belief, and a little swagger. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who’s been a revelation since being signed off the street in October, summed it up best: “Belief regardless of who’s in there.”
Ferrell’s emergence has been one of the more underrated storylines of the Niners’ recent surge. He notched two more sacks on Sunday, bringing his total to four in five games, tying him with Bryce Huff for the team lead. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even on the roster a month ago.
And he’s not alone. Keion White, another midseason addition, added a sack of his own.
Both players were thrown into the fire just days after arriving, thanks to a crash course from defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Now, they’re key contributors on a defense that’s quietly rounding into form.
The 49ers’ defensive front tightened the screws in the second half, holding Cleveland to just 49 rushing yards after giving up 89 before halftime. Rookie corner Upton Stout made his presence felt with physical play in run support and tight coverage on the outside. He may be undersized, but his impact was anything but.
Offensively, it was a day for complementary football. George Kittle made a highlight-reel 33-yard catch to set up a field goal just before halftime-an effort that gave the Niners a 10-8 lead they’d never relinquish. Christian McCaffrey, who had a relatively light workload with 24 touches, still found ways to influence the game and praised the team’s energy and chemistry.
“We’ve got a lot of character,” McCaffrey said. “I love our urgency, and I like where we’re at.”
Where they’re at is firmly in the playoff picture, with a chance to rest and reload before the final stretch. And for a team that’s had to dig deep into its depth chart, that bye week couldn’t come at a better time.
Brock Purdy, still managing a toe injury, bounced back from a rough Monday night performance with a calm, composed outing. He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he kept the offense steady and even broke out a Dougie dance after a touchdown run, clearly enjoying the moment despite the frigid conditions.
It also helped that the offensive line, anchored by Trent Williams, kept Myles Garrett relatively quiet-no small feat. Garrett finished with just one sack, and Purdy’s mobility helped neutralize the Browns’ pressure.
Special teams played a starring role, too. Skyy Moore, acquired via trade at the end of training camp, delivered a 66-yard punt return that set up San Francisco’s first score. It’s the second time in three weeks Moore has flipped a game with a return-his 98-yard kickoff return against Arizona was a turning point in that win, too.
“Anytime he gets the ball, I love the way he hits it,” McCaffrey said. “He’s built for this team.”
Purdy echoed that sentiment, calling the special teams unit “the heart of our team.” And on a day when the offense didn’t have to carry the load, that heart beat loud and clear.
The 49ers have had to navigate a season filled with injuries and lineup shuffles. Fred Warner and Nick Bosa have missed time.
Kittle was out early. Purdy sat for eight games.
But the team never blinked. As Kittle put it, “If people would have said, ‘You’re gonna be 9-4 going into the bye without those guys,’ a lot of people would’ve laughed.”
Nobody’s laughing now.
Kittle gave credit to head coach Kyle Shanahan, GM John Lynch, and the coaching staff for plugging in the right players at the right time. And he made sure to shout out Ferrell, who’s become more than just a depth piece-he’s a tone-setter.
The team’s rookie class is also making its mark. Kittle couldn’t stop raving about Alfred Collins, who’s been flying around the field with effort and intensity that’s hard to miss.
“He’s making so many plays with so much hustle,” Kittle said. “I’m just so proud of him.”
Now, with the bye week finally here-one of the latest in recent memory-the 49ers can take a breath. Shanahan called it “everything we could ask for,” and it’s hard to argue. The team will have a few days at the facility before getting some time off, and then it’s back to work with the Titans on deck.
This team has battled through adversity, leaned on its depth, and found production in unexpected places. And now, with the playoffs in sight and a healthier roster on the horizon, the 49ers are positioned to make a real run.
They’ve earned their rest. And if the second half in Cleveland was any indication, they’re just getting started.