What would YOU give up for your team to win a Super Bowl?
Jets and Eagles fans answer some ‘Would You Rather’ and hard hitting questions outside of Metlife Stadium before their Week 6 matchup.
As the San Francisco 49ers stormed to a 5-0 start, their plus-99 point differential evidence of their dominating victories, they displayed few weaknesses.
Prognosticators referred to them as the class of the NFL, with the team establishing itself as a mainstay atop USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings. Of course, many analysts extended the popular caveat while discussing the Niners’ 2023 fortunes: “Other than injuries…”
Indeed, it took a perfect storm to end the Niners’ regular-season winning streak (dating back to last year) at 15, which had tied a franchise record from 1989-90.
Injuries – to a pair of key offensive contributors – a questionable flag, a missed potential game-winning field goal and a gritty Cleveland Browns performance led to a 19-17 loss for San Francisco on Sunday. Even with depleted resources, quarterback Brock Purdy and the Niners offense set up a game-winning opportunity for rookie kicker Jake Moody, who missed a 41-yard attempt wide right with nine seconds left.
Even after the loss, San Francisco remains a game and a half ahead in the NFC West standings. The impact from the injuries, however, could have deeper implications. Deebo Samuel, the do-it-all receiver, exited in the first quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. Star running back Christian McCaffrey – who scored in his 15th consecutive game – left with an oblique injury. The extent of their injuries will be determined in the coming days, but either missing any time will significantly impact Purdy’s distribution of the ball and, therefore, his play.
For the first time in his career, Purdy looked like a seventh-round pick thrust into the starting role. He finished with 125 passing yards – he had 83 prior to the final drive – and threw his first interception of the year. Purdy connected with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on just four of 10 targets; tight end George Kittle had one catch for 1 yard.
Not all tests will be as difficult for Purdy and Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan, who is now 1-9 against teams whose defenses are led by Jim Schwartz. The Browns entered as the league’s top-ranked defense in yards allowed (196.8) and played like it. San Francisco was 3-for-12 on third downs.
San Francisco also experienced tough penalty luck in crunch time. Safety Tashaun Gipson was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a third-down incompletion, which would have set up a fourth down in Browns territory with about 90 seconds left. Replays showed what appeared to be a legal hit, but Cleveland was gifted a first down, eventually converting a go-ahead field goal.
That doesn’t completely excuse the Niners’ vaunted defensive unit. The group allowed 334 yards to a Browns offense led by quarterback PJ Walker, making his first start of the season with Deshaun Watson injured and Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski choosing him over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Running back Jerome Ford (17 rushes, 84 yards) had room to run on the Browns’ final drive, and Amari Cooper had four catches for 108 yards – 58 coming on one play.
A lot had to go against San Francisco to lose its first game of the season. Now the Niners are hoping the game, and an undefeated campaign, is all they lost on Sunday.
