The Browns didn't allow the Raiders QB Geno Smith to stay upright in Week 12, sacking him a total of 10 times. When they welcome the 49ers to Huntington Bank Field in Week 13, the defense will face QB Brock Purdy, who allowed just one quarterback hit in Week 12.
Purdy, however, threw three interceptions despite the lack of pressure. Purdy's turnover tendency is an element the Browns' defense will try to capitalize on Nov. 30.
"Three picks on Monday, obviously they're looking at him trying to correct that," S Grant Delpit said. "It's not easy going against our d-line so hopefully we get a lot of pressure and force them into a lot of similar situations and take advantage in the back end."
Purdy's three interceptions were the second-most he has thrown in a game in his career as he continues to try to rebound from an injury-plagued 2025 season. In the four games Purdy has played this season, he has thrown seven interceptions, tied for the 12th-most in the NFL. He completed 23 of his 32 passing attempts in Week 12, but 22 of those completions were passes of less than 10 yards. Purdy was 1 of 8 passing the ball 10 or more yards down the field, including all three interceptions coming on such passes.
Despite Purdy's difficulties throwing the ball, he has led the 49ers to a 3-1 record in his four appearances this season. He led San Francisco to a 12-4 record in 2023 as well, a season when he finished fourth in the MVP voting. Head coach Kevin Stefanski sees the challenges that Purdy can cause, knowing that he has shown the ability to be among the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
"He's extremely talented. Great decision maker, fast decision maker, very accurate, very good athlete," Stefanski said. "Makes a ton of plays with his feet. We've studied a lot of his movement over the years on scramble drills. He's outstanding at extending plays, making plays with his feet. I think he has really all the tools."
While Stefanski highlighted Purdy's extension abilities, the Browns have shut down quarterbacks from scrambling. Quarterbacks have recorded 13 yards per game against Cleveland. The Browns didn't allow Smith to extend plays in Week 12, forcing him to make quick throws. Smith went 25 of 29 on passes thrown nine yards or loss, ending the game with 285 passing yards.
"(We allowed) probably a little bit too many passing yards, but with 10 sacks you can't complain," Delpit said.
Delpit said that with what the defensive line and DE Myles Garrett have done at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield, it has helped the secondary have success.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
The defensive backs during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
The Week 12 Nickelodeon NVP, Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Football Operations Assistant Hajriz Aliu and Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) and Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Defensive end Ochaun Mathis (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
The Week 12 Nickelodeon NVP, Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Linebacker Eugene Asante (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Footballs during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 26, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on November 28, 2025.
In the five games in which the Browns have recorded four or more sacks, they have combined for seven interceptions. Cleveland has both recorded four or more sacks and notched an interception in three of its last five games.
Against the Dolphins in Week 7, they recorded four sacks and three interceptions. When playing the Patriots in Week 8, QB Drake Maye threw an interception in addition to being sacked six times. Cleveland notched five sacks and two interceptions when they faced QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in Week 11.
That recent stretch of dominant defensive play sets the stage for what the 49ers must account for on Sunday. Purdy and the 49ers' offense will game plan to mitigate the impact and limit the success of the Browns' pass rush and secondary as the two units try to work in tandem.
"Obviously, they'll have their plan of attack," Stefanski said. "He does a great job of getting the ball out on time. We have to rush with discipline. We really have to have a focus of everybody doing their job. When we as a defense have 11 on the same page, everybody doing their job and doing it relentlessly, we feel good about our chances."
