The Cleveland Browns (2-2) can be with out QB Deshaun Watson because of a shoulder shock in Future 6, with PJ Walker getting the establishing nod in a matchup towards the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday (1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app).

Can the Browns nonetheless give the 49ers a run for his or her cash with out Watson?

At the untouched version of “The NFL on FOX Podcast,” NFL analyst Greg Olsen opined that the Browns’ stout protection slowing ill Brock Purdy & Co. — in particular on early downs — would be the key to retaining Cleveland within the recreation.

“You have to take them out of downs where the option to run or pass is the same, and that’s winning on first and second downs — forcing them into must-throws, forcing them into must-pass downs where they can’t use their action game, they can’t use their boot game, they can’t use all their misdirections runs,” Olsen stated. “You have to force them into passing downs. Now, having said that, Brock Purdy [has] been fantastic on those downs, too. I don’t know if there is a clear path. I think you have to make things as difficult as possible for them, make them as one-dimensional as possible. 

“Upcoming you’re gonna must have some issues travel your approach. You were given to get a pair sacks, you were given to get a pair handovers [and] you were given to get a pair tipped passes that leap the fitting approach. I feel that’s the formulation if this is even a formulation, however just right groups don’t in point of fact have a formulation to overcome them: you’ve were given to be ingenious.”

Cleveland’s defense is spearheaded by star defensive end Myles Garrett, who has 5.5 sacks through four games — 3.5 of them coming in a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Defensive backs Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill and linebackers Anthony Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah also contribute to what’s an elite defense. As a whole, the Browns have surrendered just 196.8 total yards (first in the NFL) and 15 points (third) per game this season.

Watson, who’s in his first full season under center for the Browns, has underwhelmed thus far in 2023. Across the three games that he has played, Watson has totaled just 678 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, two interceptions and an 87.8 passer rating, while completing 63.7% of his passes. He has also rushed for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Cleveland, which is coming off its bye week, lost at home to the Baltimore Ravens by double digits, 28-3, with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback in Week 4.

On the other side, San Francisco has been a well-oiled machine across the board. The Niners are top three in the NFL in total yards (402.6), points (33.4), total yards surrendered (266.8) and points surrendered (13.6) per game. Cleveland’s defense is tasked with slowing down the likes of elite playmakers in Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

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