The Cleveland Browns are now in first place in the AFC North after a dominant victory over the rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.
Cleveland travels to San Francisco to take on the 3-0 49ers on Monday Night Football this week, in what is sure to be an entertaining game.
Here are four reasons why the Browns will emerge victorious, and go over .500 in the regular season for the first time since December 13th of 2014.
4. The 49ers are the weakest of the three unbeatens
The Niners are 3-0; that should not be discounted. But the competition they've faced so far has been less than stellar. Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh have a combined record of 3-9.
The Buccaneers and Bengals have two of the worst defenses in the league, and the Steelers aren't anything special either. San Francisco does rank third in the league in points and fourth in yards per game, but they also have yet to face a defense of Cleveland's caliber.
As far as the 49ers defense goes, they benefitted from playing the Bucs in Week 1, before that team hit its stride. They also played the Steelers in Mason Rudolph's first start, which did not go very well.
The Browns present a huge challenge for SF on both sides of the ball.
3. The Browns offense is on a roll
After three rough performances, Cleveland's offense finally clicked to the tune of 530 yards and 40 points. And all that was with superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. being held to just 20 yards on two receptions.
Baker Mayfield rebounded from three bad games and performed very well, making timely throws and limiting mistakes. The offensive line gave up just one QB hit all game.
What's even more exciting is that as good as the unit played on Sunday, it still isn't close to reaching its ceiling. Chain-mover Rashard Higgins and deep threat Antonio Callaway didn't play, and neither did running back Kareem Hunt. Callaway's suspension is up and he should be back for Monday's game. Higgins is still dealing with an injury, and Hunt is suspended for four more games.
Jarvis Landry suffered a concussion and may not play against San Francisco, but even without him the Browns offense is scary.
The Niners defense is quite talented and is playing well, but again, this game will be their first real challenge.
2. San Francisco has turned the ball over eight times in three games
Despite their spotless record, the Niners have played rather sloppily thus far.
They committed five turnovers against the Steelers, which would usually mean a beatdown, but the defense was able to hold Rudolph in check just enough for the offense to win the game.
Cleveland isn't on a turnover tear like they were to begin the 2018 season, but they do have seven takeaways in four games.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo must be more careful with the ball, especially if the Browns secondary is healthy again; starters Greedy Williams, Morgan Burnett, and Denzel Ward have each missed the past two games, although their replacements have performed admirably.
1. Cleveland's defensive line will dominate
San Francisco's defensive line is excellent. But so is Cleveland's. And while neither team has a great offensive line, the Niners unit is weaker. Rookie left tackle Jeff Skule will have his hands full, whether he's matched up against Oliver Vernon or Myles Garrett.
The interior is also a weak spot, which means Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi could have big games.
The Browns must create consistent pressure and penetration to throw Garoppolo off his rhythm and to slow down a very good ground game.
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has put together excellent gameplans this season, and there's no reason to think that will change against the 49ers.
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