Cleveland Browns cruise to victory over 49ers, 24-10

Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) is chased by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) and free safety Eric Reid (35) during a 54 yard run during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns easily handled the San Francisco 49ers in the 24-10 victory Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns won for the first time in over two months with the 24-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon.

Johnny Manziel started for the Browns and played a solid game. He only had one mistake, an interception where he threw the ball all the way back across the field, and he looked comfortable throughout.

Manziel finished with 270 yards and a touchdown, focusing on the best (healthy) receivers still active in Brian Hartline, Gary Barnidge, and Travis Benjamin.

But while Manziel played well, his performance should not be that surprising. He has played well this season when given the chance. It is the rest of the team that never showed up, until today that is.

The Browns running game rose from the dead and ran for a combined 230 yards on 41 carries. Isaiah Crowell led the way with 145 yards and two touchdowns, while Duke Johnson had 78 yards on 13 carries.

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Crowell’s longest run was for 54 yards, and it was an odd sight for fans. After a nonexistent run-game for the entire season, seeing such a long run was a reminder that such plays are a normal thing around the NFL.

Then there is the defense, which had given up at least 30 points in each of the past five games. The San Francisco offense only managed 221 total yards, 94 of which came in the final minutes when the game was already decided.

Blaine Gabbert was sacked nine times. Armonty Bryant and Nate Orchard each had two and Desmond Bryant added 1.5. The performance was a great one, but this 49ers team may have overtaken the Browns for worst team in the NFL. Gabbert never had any time and the 49ers had a Browns-like running game with 71 yards.

So while the win was great, it is way too early to put too much stock in anyone’s performance, including the coaching staff. That does not mean this win is not worth celebrating. After two months without a win, it is nice to not be hopelessly frustrated on a Sunday/Monday.

But there are still glaring problems with this team. One of those is special teams.

There is a serious problem when field goals continue to be blocked, and first round draft picks are unable to block long enough to let the kick get off untouched. Travis Coons‘ first field goal was blocked Sunday and he nearly had a second one blocked as well. Cameron Erving is a name that often comes up in this discussion, and that one falls on Ray Farmer.

It is always something with the Browns, and the field goal blocking dilemma is the latest problem in an otherwise great game.