5 games the 49ers must win in 2019 to make the playoffs
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns
The 49ers’ second most-important must-win game of 2019 takes place against the upstart Cleveland Browns in Week 5.
Cleveland has suddenly become the hot storyline of the season, all but erasing its elongated history of being a perennial laughingstock. Good for Browns fans, sure. But not at the expense of San Francisco.
Week 5 is a must win for this reason, of course. Yet there’s more to it. A lot more, in fact.
First, the Niners are coming off their bye. This added week gives San Francisco time to nurse any early wounds and injuries, while providing the extra week of preparation against a team few have any realistic idea on how it will perform. It’s a Monday Night Football contest, too — the first of the 49ers’ prime-time games this season.
On top of that, the Browns aren’t given any favors the week before Week 5, having to travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens in what promises to be a tough and physical AFC North rivalry matchup.
Baltimore will want to keep its foot on Cleveland’s bid to secure the division, and the Niners could be a major beneficiary here.
Besides, losing after a bye week is always a terrible look. Even for bad teams. San Francisco doesn’t want to be a bad team in 2019.