The undefeated 49ers will roll into Cleveland Browns Stadium as heavy favorites Sunday, however one stat looms over San Francisco’s effort to maneuver to 6-0.

Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has dominated 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan over the years. In eight matchups between the 2 as head coaches or coordinators, Schwartz is 7-1.

Shanahan misplaced the primary matchup 31-12 when he was a first-year offensive coordinator with the Houston Texans and Schwartz was the Tennessee Titans’ defensive coordinator in 2008. He gained the second conflict later that season 13-12, however Schwartz has taken the final six conferences, most not too long ago in 2020 when the 49ers misplaced 25-20 to the Philadelphia Eagles, the place Schwartz was defensive coordinator.

“I certainly have a lot of respect for Kyle,” Schwartz informed reporters in Cleveland on Thursday. “I’ve been going in opposition to him for a very long time. … My best praise to coaches is that they evolve over time. And I believe what we defended again in 2008 was a bit bit completely different in Houston than what he did in Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta and what he’s doing in San Francisco.

“He does a good job of scheming for his players. I think that’s probably the biggest thing. You’re not out there trying to stop a play-caller, you’re out there trying to stop his players.”

Shanahan’s offense within the Bay is flourishing. The 49ers have scored at the least 30 factors in eight straight regular-season video games (relationship again to final season) and rank third in yards per sport (402.6) and second in factors (33.4).

The Browns, nevertheless, are not any slouches themselves. In 4 video games, Cleveland’s protection is permitting a league-best 196.8 complete yards per sport and simply 15.0 factors per contest.

Shanahan is conscious of the massive problem forward.

“This game, to me, is the biggest challenge we’ve had so far,” Shanahan mentioned after apply Wednesday. “I believed that was going to be Dallas, too, going into it. But you have a look at this, and (Cleveland’s) defensive numbers simply leap out. You see very a lot that they’re No. 1 or No. 2 in the whole lot.”

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly will not play as a consequence of a shoulder harm, giving the 49ers an edge, however San Francisco’s offense in opposition to Cleveland’s protection would be the matchup to observe Sunday afternoon.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Schwartz mentioned. “This is NFL football at its finest. This is an outstanding offense, a good defense. We’ll be ready for it.”

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