The undefeated 49ers will roll into Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday as heavy favorites, but one statistic looms large over San Francisco’s attempt to get to 6-0.
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has dominated 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan over the years. In eight matchups between the two as head coach or coordinator, Schwartz is 7-1.
Shanahan lost the first game 31-12 when he was a first-year offensive coordinator with the Houston Texans, and Schwartz was the Tennessee Titans’ defensive coordinator in 2008. He won the second game later that season 13-12, but Schwartz has won the last six meetings, most recently in 2020, when the 49ers lost 25-20 to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Schwartz was defensive coordinator.
“I definitely have a lot of respect for Kyle,” Schwartz told reporters in Cleveland on Thursday. “I’ve been competing against him for a long time. … My biggest compliment to coaches is that they develop over time. And I think what we defended in Houston in 2008 was a little bit different than what he did in Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta and what he does in San Francisco.
“He makes good plans for his players. I think that’s probably the biggest thing. You’re not out there trying to stop a player, you’re trying to stop your players.”
Shanahan’s offense in the Bay is thriving. The 49ers have scored at least 30 points in eight consecutive regular-season games (since last season) and rank third in yards per game (402.6) and second in points (33.4).
However, the Browns are no slackers themselves. Through four games, Cleveland’s defense allowed a league-best 196.8 total yards per game and just 15.0 points per contest.
Shanahan recognizes the great challenge that lies ahead.
“For me, this game is the biggest challenge we’ve had so far,” Shanahan said after practice on Wednesday. “I thought that would be Dallas too if I went into it. But when you look at it, (Cleveland’s) defensive numbers just stand out. You can clearly see that they are number 1 or number 2 in everything.”
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly won’t play because of a shoulder injury, giving the 49ers an advantage, but San Francisco’s offense against Cleveland’s defense will be the matchup to watch Sunday afternoon.
“It’s going to be a great match,” Schwartz said. “This is NFL football at its finest. This is an outstanding offense, a good defense. We will be prepared for it.”
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