What We Saw 2023: Week 6

The What We Saw team recaps everything you missed from Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season.

Drew DeLuca
What We Saw A Year Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Titans
Commanders @ Falcons
Vikings @ Bears
Seahawks @ Bengals
49ers @ Browns
Saints @ Texans
Colts @ Jaguars
Panthers @ Dolphins
Patriots @ Raiders
Lions @ Buccaneers
Cardinals @ Rams
Eagles @ Jets
Giants @ Bills

San Francisco 49ers @ Cleveland Browns

Final Score: Browns 19, 49ers 17

Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)

 

Even as a Browns fan, I can’t say I saw this result coming. The notoriously gross lakeshore weather played a major role throughout the entire game, especially at the end. The referees also impacted the game dramatically with 25 penalties accepted for 224 yards between both teams.  Cleveland started their 36th different quarterback since 1999, and while he definitely played like a backup, he got it done against one of the top defenses in the NFL. Two offensive playmakers exited the game for the 49ers at different points in the game and those left on the field struggled to hang onto passes thrown their way. Ultimately the Browns surprised everyone, Vegas included, as they handed the 49ers their first defeat of the season. The Browns improve to 3-2, and while the 49ers earned their first blemish of the season, they’re still a strong 5-1 to open the season.

 

Two Up

  • 49ers Defense – The 49ers defense kept the pressure up all game with their pass rush and forced two turnovers in the process to keep them in the game to the very end.
  • Browns Defense – The weather might’ve been the Browns’ best defender. Kept the Browns in the game even with the offensive struggles.

Two Down

  • Jake Moody – Missed a 54-yard try in the 1st quarter, then missed the game-winner from 41 yards out with 9 seconds left on the clock. Either kick had the potential to impact the game dramatically.
  • Brandon Aiyuk – Getting a 42 percent target share is great! Securing only 40 percent of those targets? Not so great.

 

San Francisco 49ers

 

Quarterback

 

Brock Purdy: 12/27, 125 yards, touchdown, interception, 3 sacks, fumble (recovered) | 3 carries, 7 yards

 

Brock Purdy‘s winning streak as a starter came to a rainy end, as well as his streak of 248 passing attempts without an interception. To be fair, Purdy did not have a lot to work with as he lost two of his playmakers as the game went on. On top of that, standout left tackle Trent Williams was banged up and has to miss some snaps. I didn’t count the number of drops Purdy’s wideouts had but I recall at least four. The completion percentage doesn’t represent the accuracy of his throws with several catchable balls ending up hitting the dirt. The lack of playmakers, combined with the Browns’ tough defense and the weather, was a recipe for disaster.

 

Notes

  • Struggled in the weather conditions – the fumble was a ball that slipped out of his hand as he went to throw.

 

Running Back

 

Christian McCaffrey: 11 carries, 43 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 9 yards, TD

After 40 scrimmage yards on the first drive, including a 13-yard score, Christian McCaffrey was bottled up by the Browns defense. He took (and delivered) several heavy hits on runs between the tackles, which likely had something to do with his eventual exit from the game. When he was on the field it was clear he was the top weapon in this offense as evidenced by his 14 touches before exiting in the third quarter.

 

Notes

  • Left the game with an injury in the third quarter. Came back for a single play before heading to the locker room for the remainder of the game.

 

Jordan Mason: 5 carries, 27 yards, TD

 

Scored from 8 yards out in the third quarter off of a Browns turnover, shortly after McCaffrey had left the game.

 

Kyle Juszczyk: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Brandon Aiyuk: 10 targets, 4 receptions, 76 yards

 

Brandon Aiyuk became the primary target in the passing game after the early exit of Deebo Samuel. Unfortunately, Aiyuk was not able to capitalize on the influx of targets as he let the ball go through his hands in a couple of crucial moments. At times, he was smothered by the Browns’ talented set of cornerbacks, and that didn’t help matters. Aiyuk was arguably the one player most heavily impacted by the weather as it looked like the ball was legitimately slipping through his hands. Aiyuk was also targeted on Purdy’s interception.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • So many drops…and I think the pass below was catchable. Do you? Let me know on Reddit!

 

Deebo Samuel: 1 target | 2 carries, 11 yards

 

About halfway through the first quarter, Deebo Samuel left the game and was deemed questionable to return. He was eventually downgraded to out and never returned to the field.

 

 

George Kittle: 2 targets, 1 reception, 1 yard

 

After popping off against the Cowboys last week, George Kittle delivered a dud against a tough defense in miserable conditions. Kittle was tasked with helping to block the Browns talented pass rush for most of the game. This was especially true once Trent Williams left with injury and was no longer able to anchor the offensive line. Kittle was required to stay in and block or chip before releasing, limiting his opportunity for downfield utilization. When he did run routes, the Browns defense marked him closely. The weather and personnel circumstances obviously created a tough situation for everyone on the field, but it especially impacted Kittle.

 

Jauan Jennings: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards

 

Ray-Ray McCloud III: 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards | 2 carries, 23 yards

 

Ross Dwelley: 1 target

 

 

Cleveland Browns

 

Quarterback

 

P. J. Walker: 18/34, 192 yards, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks | 3 carries, 1 yard

 

At times it was a very rough day for P. J. Walker against a very formidable 49ers defense. Walker ended the first Cleveland drive with a pick around midfield as he stared down his primary read from the snap, telegraphing the throw for an easy interception. He threw a second interception in the fourth quarter while up 13-10, resulting in a 49ers touchdown. Walker was able to lead the Browns on a touchdown drive in the first quarter, as well as managing two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to secure the lead for Cleveland. All things considered, weather included, Walker stepped up admirably.

 

Notes

  • Walker lost the ball on a hit while he rolled out to the right, with the result of the play being ruled Intentional Grounding. It was a very questionable call, to say the least, as it looked like a fumble. The play result was reviewed and was not overturned.

 

Running Back

 

Jerome Ford: 17 carries, 84 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 7 yards

 

Jerome Ford got off to a slow start as both teams struggled to put points on the board in the first half. When the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, Ford flashed his playmaking ability to extend the drives and keep the clock moving as the Browns held onto a 19-17 lead. Ford generated 59 scrimmage yards on the final two drives for Cleveland, taking advantage of a tired, worn-down 49ers defensive line.

 

 

Kareem Hunt: 12 carries, 47 yards, touchdown | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 24 yards

 

After recently signing a contract to return to Cleveland, Kareem Hunt delivered some punishing runs between the tackles, none more impressive than this touchdown scamper (see below) on 3rd-and-1 with tight end Harrison Bryant under center. While Jerome Ford stood out in the final quarter of the game, Kareem carried more of the workload early in the game. Kareem looked like he was searching for contact on some of his attempts. His skillset compliments Ford’s well and it was on display today.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver/Tight End

 

Amari Cooper: 8 targets, 4 receptions, 108 yards, fumble (recovered)

 

Given the circumstances, it’s okay to assume Amari Cooper would’ve had a quiet game. It was quite the opposite. A few of his targets weren’t really catchable and shouldn’t be held against him although he did fumble the ball once. Cooper remained the first read in the passing game and made two incredible plays (both below). The catches weren’t there in quantity but they were there in quality as he averaged 27 yards per reception and looked good doing it:

 

 

 

Elijah Moore: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 19 yards | 1 carry, 8 yards

 

Elijah Moore is still used creatively in this offense but wasn’t able to find a lot of space against the 49ers. He was second on the team in targets and continued to run a lot of short/crossing routes. In general, the 49ers defense held Moore in check all game. He was the recipient of a hit that was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a crucial third down late in the fourth quarter. The resulting penalty gave the offense a first down and extended a drive that ended in a field goal.

 

David Njoku: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 24 yards

 

David Njoku could’ve had a massive day if it weren’t for two very costly holding penalties. On two separate occasions, Njoku was able to get loose on a tight end screen and punish the defense. One of those plays would’ve been a 32-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, neither play counted, and the result was a pretty meager fantasy day with a lot of low-potential targets.

 

Missed Opportunities

  • Two successful screen plays, one of which would’ve been a touchdown, were called back due to holding penalties. The penalties erased two receptions, 47 yards, and a touchdown.

 

David Bell: 3 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

 

Marquise Goodwin: 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards | 1 carry, 20 yards

 

Harrison Bryant: 1 target

 

Harrison Bryant lined up under center in what looked like a tush push formation but instead tossed it to Kareem Hunt for his touchdown run.

 

Jordan Akins: 2 targets

 

Donovan Peoples-Jones: 1 target

 

 

Series Navigation
Introduction
Ravens @ Titans
Commanders @ Falcons
Vikings @ Bears
Seahawks @ Bengals
49ers @ Browns
Saints @ Texans
Colts @ Jaguars
Panthers @ Dolphins
Patriots @ Raiders
Lions @ Buccaneers
Cardinals @ Rams
Eagles @ Jets
Giants @ Bills

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