Start Me Up - Browns @ 49ers

I've always thought it was a bit strange that the 49ers ar referred to by the numbers, and not "Forty-Niners," but I suppose that would look a bit strange, huh? In any case, the Browns are in the Bay Area for the second time in three weeks, but this time they face a somewhat surprising 5-1 team in those 49ers.

That 1849 gold rush has nothing on running back Frank Gore, who has been lighting up my fantasy team the league with 541 yards rushing, good for eighth in the league. As good as the defense has been—and it's ranked fourth coming into today's action!—we really haven't faced that great of a offense. It'll be a good test for the young defensive line and the linebacking corps to see how well they can contain him.

But my primary concerns in today's game are the offense and special teams. It's been well documented in the Plain Dealer throughout the week about how 49ers special teams coach Brad Seely was with us the past two seasons under Eric Mangini, how the Browns been C.E.O. of Struggle Inc. when it comes to special teams this year and thus are more than likely going to be crushed in that department. My hope is that we can at least match the Niners special teams unit—make our field goals, and not allow any egregious returns. If we can't, it'll be a huge part of the difference in the game.

Offensively, the Browns have got a whole hell of a lot to prove, because so far they've stunk up the place—especially last week. I realize a win is a win, and the good teams find ways to win, but an offensive performance like last week is not going to beat the 49ers today. It's just not. Right now we're ranked 23rd in offense, and we're going against the Niners 11th ranked defense. Here's the thing, Peyton Hillis may or may not play, and even if he does, who knows how effective he's going to be? (UPDATE: Hillis has been ruled OUT for today's game) Mohammed Massaquoi is out today after suffering a concussion last week, and Ben Watson is questionable with the same injury. Those are our three main weapons for Colt McCoy—a recipe that might cook up disaster for the offense today.

On the other hand, this could be a breakout game for players like Evan Moore, Greg Little and Montario Hardesty. I'd love to see Colt throw the ball on some short, quick, routes to Little, and then maybe a few drag routes over the middle to Moore... It would be extremely encouraging to see the the West Coast offense finally start to gel in the place where it was incepted.

Unfortunately, I have a tough time thinking that's going to happen, so let's get to the bottom line...

The Prediction: CLE 10 - SF 31

I just don't feel like the Browns are going to show the defense that we've been seeing the last few weeks, and with those three offensive weapons out, I don't know that we'll score a touchdown until garbage time. Harbaugh has done a great job so far with that SF team, and I think today they'll push their record to 6-1.

Hopefully I'll be wrong and they'll score a lot of points and shut me up.

Ha, I'll see you at the half!
~MAS