49ers Focus
By Robert Haugh

After starting 5-1, the 49ers came out of their bye week looking poised and powerful, making a huge statement by knocking off the Cleveland Browns 20-10 at Candlestick on Sunday, October 30, improving to 6-1 and now holding a four-game lead in the NFC West.

The 49ers dominated the first half, leading 17-0 as the half neared - with on a 52-yard field goal putting the Browns on the board nearing the half. In the first half, the 49ers marched to 15 first downs to the Browns’ six, amassed 253 yards to the Browns’ 93 and nearly double the Browns in time of possession. The 49ers had 145 yards rushing in the first half, and RB Frank Gore topped the century mark before the first half concluded.

The first half dominance was combined efforts by the Defense, Offense and Special teams, with the Defense starting the dominance with a forced fumble and recovery on the Browns’ first drive that led to Gore scoring on a 4-yard run.

QB Alex Smith then led the 49ers on an 11-play, 88-yard drive resulting in a David Akers Field Goal. Following that, Smith led the 49ers on a 12-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard TD pass to WR Michael Crabtree. In the first half, Smith was nearly flawless.

The Defense amassed four sacks, three coming in the first half.

Though the 49ers showed utter dominance in the first half, the second half showed some vulnerabilities. The 49ers were 0-for-3 in the red zone in the second half, mostly in part to botched plays, such as a sideline pass where Crabtree was ruled out-of-bounds, plus other poorly developed plays.

Luckily, for the 49ers, their first half dominance kept them in the game for the big win, as the 49ers Defense kept the Browns at bay. The 49ers have set sail, and look to be cruising to the NFC West title.