The Key to The Browns Jim Schwartz Game plan vs the 49ers

Coach Jim Schwartz has been outstanding with the Browns turning them into a top 10 defense this year. They are currently 5th in the NFL in scoring defense, 8th in red zone efficiency, 1st in yards per game only allowing 200 yards per game. They are also 1st in passing yards allowed, only giving up 121 yards per game.

That defense was on fire this weekend, stifling the 49ers and holding them to 17 points in a very gritty defensive effort.

The key to to Jim Schwartz game plan vs the 49ers was to win first down and take away all of the 49ers play action passing game on 1st down. That was the major key of the game as they only allowed 2 pass plays for more than 10 yards. Overall Purdy was 12/27 for 125 yards with 1 td and 1 interception as the Browns played a ton of man coverage on early downs throughout the day. The press coverage gave Purdy some difficulty. Deebo and Kittle were non factors.

Then on 3rd down, they won the money down holding the 49ers to 3 of 12 in those situations.

Lastly, they controlled the run game enough, holding the 49ers to 25/108 which is not a horrible number against a top rushing offense.

The way they were effective on 1st down is that they did it by playing man to man. It was brilliant as this really took away many of the zone and in breaking concepts. They were so efficient on 1st down, the down that Shanahan usually makes a living on. Only 2 plays of 10 yards or more!

Here’s their breakdowns on the 14 pass plays on 1st down. As you can see, they kept them in check.

Result                  Gain                    Efficient   
1. Complete        -8                             no
2. Complete        33                             yes
3. Complete         4                              yes
4. Inc                     0                             no
5. Complete         9                              yes
6. Inc                     0                             no
7. Inc                    0                              no 
8 Sack                   -3                            no
9. Sack                 -10                           no
10. Inc                   0                            no
11. Inc                  0                             no 
12. Inc                 0                              no
13. Complete      25                           yes

They did a great job on the day of really taking away the play action passing game on 1st down. They held the 49ers to two plays over 25 yards and held them to 17 points. One of those drives was 8 yards after a turnover.

let’s look at some film.

Below they go corner over, man free on 1st and 10. They are aggressive as the 49ers run boot. It’s well defended as Purdy only has a tight window to throw the football. Notice the press coverage on the outside.

In example #2, they get 3x1 bunch formation. They still go man to man and play aggressive on the outside.

They run a dig, wheel concept with Kittle running an option route late out of the backfield.

Again they go man coverage and stop them with the excellent coverage down field.

You can see the wheel starting to develop with the sold man coverage down field.

Solid coverage with no real place to go with the football.

Film

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