Cleveland Browns: 5 bold predictions vs San Francisco 49ers
![CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns stands with his teammates during the national anthem before playing against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns stands with his teammates during the national anthem before playing against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1176448914-850x560-b6fc3445934f5fd581879e29e939327baa8c1378a38a23b6a7f39b0501ac8dfe.jpg)
The Browns secondary will continue to thrive
Cleveland comes into this game with the seventh-ranked pass defense, and it has been led by players the average fan may not have heard of. Every starter in the secondary has missed at least one game so far this season.
So that created an opportunity for other players to step up, and they have done so big time. Players like Jermaine Whitehead, T.J. Carrie, Eric Murray and Terrance Mitchell just to name a few.
Starters Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, and Morgan Burnett are all questionable against the 49ers, so it is likely we will see the same faces in the secondary.
In their last two games, this secondary has intercepted Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson twice. San Francisco is not a passing juggernaut, so they will have their opportunities.
They are 17th in the NFL in passing offense. They have what they believe to be a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo but they are extremely young at wide receiver. Tight end George Kittle had a breakout season last year and he continues to be productive. But your tight end is only going to get you so many yards.
Garoppolo is throwing to rookie Deebo Samuel, Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, Richie James and Kendrick Bourne. Nobody has more than 200 yards receiving and one touchdown. Garoppolo has also struggled protecting the ball, throwing four interceptions in just three games.
It is going to be tough for them to get open against this Cleveland secondary who has been playing like they have something to prove.