Ian Maule/Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on prior to a game of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The conditions may not have been ideal, but the San Francisco 49ers still had no issues disposing of a pesky Browns team on the road in the Cleveland. Despite strong winds and a brisk temperature (true football weather, if you ask some) the Niners cruised to a 26-8 win in QB Brock Purdy’s second game back from a toe injury that sidelined him for most of the season.
One of the heroes for the 49ers was veteran ED Clelin Ferrell. The former No. 4 overall pick out of Clemson back in 2019 by the Raiders, Ferrell previously spent a season in San Francisco back in 2023. After bouncing around the league a bit since, Ferrell started this season with the Chargers and joined the 49ers midseason, making appearances in the last four games.
Against the Browns, Ferrell led the team with nine tackles and a pair of sacks, leading Niners HC Kyle Shanahan to say this about him after the game:
“He’s done a hell of a job,”. I mean we loved having [Ferrell] here a couple years ago when we had him. Since his first stint here he’s been the same guy, he’s given us a lot of juice when we’ve been down.”
San Francisco 49ers ED Clelin Ferrell on Making an Impact and the Defensive Gameplan
Sarah Stier/GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 02: Clelin Ferrell #96 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a sack against the New York Giants during the first half in the game at MetLife Stadium on November 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“I think for me it’s just not taking it for granted,” Ferrell said after the game about what it means to him to be back making an impact for the 49ers. “When I came back, this team was right in the thick of it. And at the end of the day, the biggest reason why I came back here was because I wanted to win. I’m just thankful for my teammates, coaches, everyone in the building just helping me get prepared and be ready for the moment. So it was good. It was good. I’m excited.”
“I think it’s mostly gets back to just stopping the run,” Ferrell continued, discussing the defensive gameplan against the Browns. “They obviously have a talented young quarterback [in rookie Shedeur Sanders], but you know, he’s very fresh. So we knew that maybe the playbook wasn’t going to be as big, and this is a cold environment, lot of wind. So we knew they were gonna come out and try and run the ball, with a good back. [Quinshon Judkins] is a good back. So once we got that under control, we were able to really put some pressure on them.”
The San Francisco 49ers are in Prime Playoff Position
It was a great day for the 49ers, and not just because of their win over the Browns. Now at 9-4, San Francisco has a game and a half lead over the Lions for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs with five weeks to go.
The 49ers have their bye week next, but coming out of that they’ll play the Titans, Colts, Bears, and Seahawks. Those last three in particular are very tough games, but even going 2-2 down the stretch might be enough to sneak into the playoffs — which would be a major accomplishment in this injury-riddled season.
Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie
