Niner Noise
FanSided

5 predictions for 49ers vs. Browns on Monday Night Football

By Peter Panacy

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles while under pressure from defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles while under pressure from defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals at the line in the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals at the line in the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

With the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, Niner Noise dishes out five predictions and looks at some real possibilities for Week 5.

The Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns is going to be a decisive contest for both teams.

For the Niners, who enter this bout undefeated and coming off a Week 4 bye, can answer a lot of critics who think head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad hasn’t played any legitimate contenders this season.

For the Browns, who enter this game 2-2 after four weeks and have mostly underwhelmed on the young season, Week 5’s prime-time feature needs to be a game in which quarterback Baker Mayfield and Co. finally live up to all the hype generated during the offseason.

Bovada currently lists San Francisco as 4.0-point favorites for this game, so that’s one prediction.

What of some others, though?

With the hours counting down before Monday Night Football, Niner Noise breaks down five predictions for the 49ers as they strive to continue their win streak early in 2019.

No. 5: 49ers Will Grab 2 Interceptions from Baker Mayfield

Like the Browns, quarterback Baker Mayfield has had plenty of up-and-down moments early this season.

One of them is his tendency for turning the ball over. Through four weeks, Mayfield has tossed six interceptions already, which is well on pace to surpass the 13 he threw in 14 games his rookie 2018 campaign.

Yes, three of those came in Cleveland’s ugly Week 1 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Interestingly enough, though, none this season have come when Mayfield has been blitzed.

The 49ers are generating good pressure this season with a four-man rush, meaning they can keep seven defenders back to defend against the pass. Pro Football Focus‘ data suggests Mayfield is actually worse when handling non-blitz pressure, posting a 43.4 passer rating here, than not being pressured at all. But four of those six picks tossed on the season have come from more coverage sacks, when he wasn’t pressured at all.

Either way, it’s not a promising stat line for Mayfield, who’ll have to deal with a 49ers defensive line boasting five former first-round NFL Draft picks, especially edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa.

Expect San Francisco’s defense to pick Mayfield off twice during the game.