The 49ers didn’t have to be at their best to knock off the Cleveland Browns, with a succession of critical errors from their Week 13 opponent giving San Francisco a helping hand in a 26-8 victory
Still, the manner in which the 49ers took care of business in the second half after an underwhelming first half was impressive, and it secured San Francisco’s first road win in Cleveland since 1984, one that ensures Kyle Shanahan and his players will end the campaign with a winning record.
A winning record is not something the 49ers would typically deem worthy of celebrating given their history of contending for Super Bowls under Shanahan.
The 49ers enter every season with ambitions of going to the Super Bowl, but with the youthful nature of their roster and the injuries they have suffered this season, expectations required an adjustment.
But, amid the injury adversity, the 49ers have already met those expectations. At worst, they will finish 9-8. Considering the level of injury attrition — especially on the defensive side of the ball — that should be considered a significant achievement very much worth celebrating.
San Francisco’s injuries have been such this season that going through would be arduous waste of time. In short, they have played most of the season without their starting quarterback, All-World middle linebacker, superstar edge rusher and 2024 first-round pick at wide receiver while also being without a former All-Pro at wideout for the entire year.
Despite all those absences, the 49ers are tied for the most wins in the NFC. The New England Patriots are the only team in the NFL with more wins. Just a half-game back on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West, there is still a clear possibility the 49ers could host a playoff game.
That is a testament to the character of the group the 49ers have assembled and the coaching job Shanahan and his staff have done as they enter a long-awaited bye.
The 49ers will be very grateful for the week off this late in a bruising season, as much as they would have preferred it to be earlier, the bye giving them the chance to reset as they aim to ensure their season does extend into the playoffs.
“I love where we’re at right now,” Shanahan said in his postgame press conference of being 9-4.
“It’s been a long wait for a bye week. Mentally and physically it’ll be awesome to rest, for a chance to come back and try to get into the playoffs is all we could ask for.”
With the 49ers having the opportunity to get into the dance and perhaps even win the division, you won’t find Shanahan celebrating simply having a winning record.
But he can afford to be very satisfied with his season’s work to this point, which should have him firmly in the Coach of the Year discussion. Regardless of whether he wins that award or how deep the 49ers go into the playoffs, a very strange 49ers season can now be considered a success.
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