Niner Noise
FanSided

5 matchups 49ers need to win in Week 5 to beat Browns

By Elvis Jerez

George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 29: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 29: Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Contain Nick Chubb

Running back Nick Chubb is coming off a stellar performance where he pounded the Ravens with 20 carries, 165 yards and three touchdowns. Through Week 4 of the season, the 49ers have yet to allow a rushing touchdown.

But volume, coupled with elite speed, could make Chubb the first running back to score a touchdown against the Niners. Chubb’s 88-yard touchdown versus the Ravens was clocked at 21.95 miles per hour, the fastest of all players in Week 4 and second fastest overall this season.

Realistically, Chubb will find less room to run free this week. Chubb favors running inside left, directly in the vicinity of front-seven defenders Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner or Fred Waner, so Chubb may wish to reconsider an alternate path.

Chubb did most of his damage against the Ravens by running wide right: nine attempts, 142 yards and two touchdowns. Lucky for the Niners, if this is the alternate route Chubb takes, he’ll be met by either linebacker Dre Greenlaw or EDGE Dee Ford.

While Chubb looked elite last week, it might have helped that he was going up against the worst run-stop defense in the league through four weeks.

All sights on Mayfield.