Rain. Cold. Wind.<\/p>\n
It could be a miserable day when the 49ers take the field to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Coach Kyle Shanahan started getting his team prepared mentally for the challenge early in the week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI showed them a bunch of videos (Wednesday morning) of what it looked like a year ago this day there versus Pittsburgh, just a blizzard and stuff and told them to expect it,\u201d Shanahan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be surprised if it\u2019s not that way. You expect it to be that way, so you get your mind right and you don\u2019t walk out Sunday and be shocked by anything besides that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 49ers (8-4) enter the Week 13 game in the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoff picture. A victory would provide them with a warm and cozy flight back to the Bay Area as they enter their bye week.<\/p>\n
Here are five players who must come through for the 49ers to avoid the upset loss:<\/p>\n
DE Bryce Huff<\/p>\n
The 49ers will be without one of their top remaining pass-rushers, as Sam Okuayinonu<\/a> is out with a high-ankle sprain. If you\u2019re looking for someone who might be able to get to the quarterback, look no further than Bryce Huff.<\/p>\n Huff leads the 49ers<\/a> with four sacks, but he has not gotten to the quarterback since Oct. 19 against the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers have just 13 sacks as a team in 12 games.<\/p>\n The 49ers must generate some pressure to force rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders<\/a> into mistakes.<\/p>\n The 49ers acquired Huff in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to be a complement to Nick Bosa<\/a>. But with Bosa out for the season, they need Huff to step up in a game like this and impact the game.<\/p>\n TE George Kittle<\/p>\n It might be difficult to make plays on the outside due to the weather conditions, so the 49ers\u2019 best bet could be dumping it off underneath to tight end George Kittle<\/a>. Then, they can sit back and watch him work his magic.<\/p>\n Kittle will be appearing in his eighth game of the season after missing five games with a hamstring injury. He has 33 catches for 329 yards. His average per reception (10.0) is the lowest of his career, but he has five touchdown receptions.<\/p>\n While running back Christian McCaffrey<\/a> will get plenty of chances with the ball in his hands, it is vital that Kittle gets more than his share of touches, too.<\/p>\n LT Trent Williams<\/p>\n Trent Williams<\/a>, an 11-time Pro Bowl performer and a three-time All-Pro selection, has never faced a challenge quite like this one.<\/p>\n At 37, Williams is nearing the end of his career (or, at least, it should seem that way). But he is still playing at an exceptionally high level this season. Williams is the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle in the NFL, behind only Detroit\u2019s Penei Sewell, according to PFF\u2019s grading system.<\/p>\n He will go up against Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett<\/a>, who has lined up 85 percent of the time on the right side of the defense. That means there should be plenty of Garrett vs. Williams matchups.<\/p>\n Garrett leads the NFL with 18 sacks on the season. He has six games to get five sacks, which would break the league\u2019s single-season record held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt of 22.5.<\/p>\n \u201cJust preparing to go against one of the best pass rushers ever, so it\u2019s a huge challenge,\u201d Shanahan said.<\/p>\n S Ji\u2019Ayir Brown<\/p>\n Safety Ji\u2019Ayir Brown<\/a> has taken advantage of a second chance to start this season. And with his two interceptions Monday night against Carolina\u2019s Bryce Young<\/a>, he goes into this game with plenty of momentum.<\/p>\n Brown was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his showing on national TV. Now, he will be going up against Sanders, a fifth-round pick making his second NFL start.<\/p>\n Brown relied on film study and instincts to make the game-clinching interception against the Panthers. He does not have as many pass attempts on Sanders to study, so there will be an element of the unexpected on Sunday.<\/p>\n QB Brock Purdy<\/p>\n The last time Brock Purdy<\/a> had a game such as what he experienced on Monday night, he was terrific the following game.<\/p>\n But this time will be difficult, as he deals with one of the top defenses in the NFL, the best pass-rusher and likely inclement weather on the shores of Lake Erie.<\/p>\n Purdy threw three interceptions<\/a> in the 49ers\u2019 win against the Carolina Panthers<\/a>. He had a four-interception game against Baltimore in 2023. His next game was against Washington, and he posted a 127.4 passer rating.<\/p>\n Above all else, Purdy must take care of the football and not give the Browns\u2019 offense the head start of good field position. Purdy said he will not wear a glove in order to cope with the possible wet and cold conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to drop back, you\u2019ve got to throw it on time,\u201d Purdy said. \u201cAnd if it\u2019s not there in time, let\u2019s be smart with the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n