Did you think that a 12-game losing streak was a long time to go without a win? One year ago today, the Cleveland Browns won their last football game. It's certainly not an anniversary that any Browns fan wants to celebrate. Cleveland has lost 16 games since their last victory. They own the NFL's worst record and are near the bottom of every power ranking. Yet, there are some that believe that the Browns would have a real shot at a victory if they were to play the San Francisco 49ers.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, the Browns are not on their 2016 schedule. While San Francisco has had a chance to test how bad they are by playing some really poor teams over the last couple of weeks – and losing both games – they won't be able to prove that they are truly the worst in the league. With a 1-12 record, the 49ers are still a game behind the Browns in the hunt for the first overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. At 0-13, the Browns are in the driver's seat when it comes to ownership of that pick.
Going into the game on December 13, 2015, the Browns had lost seven in a row. While the odds were astronomical, shockingly, the Jim Tomsula led 49ers were not yet eliminated from playoff contention. That officially ended when the 49ers dropped to 4-9 on the season following the 24-10 defeat in Cleveland.
The Browns had 481 yards of total offense – more than double the total for the 49ers (221). QB Blaine Gabbert completed 18 of his 28 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown for San Francisco. His counterpart was none other than Johnny Manziel, who completed 21 of 31 for 270 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Entering the game, the Browns had the worst rushing offense in the NFL, averaging just 73.9 yards per game. They had 230 against the 49ers defense. Their 31st-ranked run defense held the 49ers to just 71 yards on the ground.
Prior to their game against the 49ers, the Browns defense had only 17 sacks on the season, which ranked last in the NFL. They brought Gabbert down nine times, which tied a 49ers franchise record.
The bottom line is that, on paper and in the win-loss column, the Browns looked like the inferior team going into their last victory. They came out on top by a good margin. That might have repeated itself had the two teams played each other this season. We'll never know the possible outcome of that one.
The 49ers defense has allowed 239 more total yards, 18 more points, and 320 more rushing yards than the Browns. The 49ers offense has just 63 more total yards and 467 fewer passing yards than the Browns. Had the two teams been on each other's schedules, the 49ers might have had a shot at the top pick next year.