49ers’ Special Teams Shine in Gritty Win Over Browns as Weather Takes Center Stage
The last time Brock Purdy and the 49ers rolled into Cleveland, things unraveled fast. Turnovers, missed kicks, and a general sense of “nothing’s going right” turned that 2023 trip into a forgettable one. So when the Niners found themselves back at Huntington Bank Field for a Week 13 clash in 2025-this time with the wind howling and the temperature plummeting-there were plenty of reasons to wonder if history might repeat itself.
Instead, San Francisco flipped the script. And in a game where the elements made throwing the ball a chore and footing a challenge, it was the often-overlooked third phase-special teams-that came up big.
Skyy Moore Sparks Early Momentum
The tone was set early thanks to Skyy Moore, who delivered one of the most electric plays of the 49ers’ season. Fielding a punt with the wind swirling, Moore found a seam and exploded downfield for a 67-yard return that brought life to a game already bogged down by the weather. A few plays later, Christian McCaffrey punched it in from the 1-yard line, and just like that, San Francisco was up 7-0.
That return wasn’t just timely-it was historic. You’d have to go back to 2010 to find the last time the 49ers had a longer punt return. In a season where San Francisco’s offense has often carried the load, this was a moment where special teams said, “We’ve got this one.”
Browns’ Miscues Open the Door
While the Niners were making the most of their special teams opportunities, Cleveland was doing the opposite. The biggest miscue came in the fourth quarter when Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain mishandled a punt deep in his own territory. San Francisco pounced on the loose ball, setting up another touchdown that all but sealed the win.
Add in a few fortunate bounces-like one field goal attempt from Matt Gay that clanged off the upright and somehow still went through-and it was clear the football gods were smiling on the Niners’ sideline.
A Rare Bright Spot in the Elements
Let’s be honest: San Francisco hasn’t exactly built a reputation as a bad-weather team. And special teams?
That’s been a sore spot more often than not in recent years. But on this cold, blustery day in Cleveland, both of those narratives got a much-needed rewrite.
The only real blemish came on a failed two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. But considering the swirling winds and frozen turf, that’s a tough ask for any unit.
Still, the bigger takeaway here is that in a game where Purdy and the passing attack had to battle the elements as much as the Browns’ defense, the 49ers found a way to win by leaning on a phase of the game that doesn’t always get the headlines.
Into the Bye With Momentum
With the 26-8 win, San Francisco heads into its Week 14 bye sitting at 9-4-firmly in the playoff picture and trending in the right direction. And while the offense and defense have had their moments throughout the season, this one belonged to special teams.
It’s the kind of gritty, grind-it-out road win that doesn’t always look pretty in the box score but says a lot about a team’s toughness-and its depth. And if the 49ers can keep getting contributions like this from all three phases, they’re going to be a tough out come January.