Special teams deliver 49ers a win over Browns in most improbable of ways

The last time quarterback Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers visited the Cleveland Browns, nearly everything that could go wrong did.

Purdy's turnovers, missed field goals and the like ultimately led to the Niners' road defeat there in 2023, which didn't set things up well for another trip to Cleveland in Week 13 of 2025.

Especially when the weather figured to impact Purdy and the passing game.

It should have impacted special teams, too. And it's safe to argue that it did: negatively for the Browns and positively for San Francisco.

49ers special teams deliver in hard-fought road win over Browns

The 49ers pulled off the 26-8 victory at Huntington Bank Field amid frigid and windy conditions that only deteriorated as the game moved along.

Yet the Niners taking advantage on special teams was evident early, thanks to punt returner Skyy Moore's explosive 67-yard return that led to a 1-yard rushing touchdown by running back Christian McCaffrey a few plays later, and that gave San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.

Of note, the last time the 49ers had a punt return longer than that was way back in 2010.

Cleveland, meanwhile, watched its special teams game deteriorate as a muffed punt-return attempt by wide receiver Gage Larvadain was recovered by the Niners, and that turned into another touchdown that effectively iced the game in the fourth quarter.

Even the lucky bounces (especially off the foot of kicker Matt Gay) seemed to go San Francisco's way:

About the only thing that went wrong for the 49ers' special teams crop is the failed two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, which was understandable in light of the gusty winds and less-than-ideal kicking conditions.

But, despite the Niners having both a poorish history of special teams play in recent years, combined with a not-so-great reputation in bad-weather games, it's refreshing to see this overlooked third phase deliver in a way when the offense was challenged to shoulder the bulk of the load.

And San Francisco can head into its Week 14 bye with a 9-4 record as a result.