Cleveland Browns vs. San Francisco 49ers 2019: Prediction, Odds For Week 5 Monday Night Football

One team has both a top-five offense and a top-five defense through the first quarter of the 2019 NFL season. It’s not the defending champion New England Patriots, the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs or the 3-1 Dallas Cowboys.

Only the San Francisco 49ers rank among the league leaders on both sides of the ball. The team is fourth in total offense and third in total defense. San Francisco is fifth in both yards per play and opponents’ yards per play after their bye week.

Maybe the 49ers’ hot start is the result of small sample size or a weak schedule. San Francisco can further prove their 3-0 record is no fluke when they play in primetime against the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football.”

Cleveland is a four-point road underdog against San Francisco, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The contest has an over/under of 46.5.

The 49ers haven’t beaten a team that enters Week 5 with a winning record. Their last two victories have come against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, who have a combined 1-7 record. San Francisco’s 31-17 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener looks more impressive now that the Bucs just beat the Los Angeles Rams, though Jameis Winston and Co. still aren’t above .500.

The Browns are coming off a notable win. They defeated the Baltimore Ravens 40-25 on the road, taking over first place in the AFC North in the process.

Prior to beating Baltimore, Cleveland was 1-2, having only beaten the winless New York Jets. The Browns were considered to be one of the league’s most disappointing teams just one week ago.

There are plenty of questions surrounding both teams. Which team has a better chance of answering them in Week 5?

That’s probably the 49ers, who look much improved on both sides of the ball in 2019. The defense has been especially good, putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and recording five interceptions in three games.

The Ravens don’t have a pass rush like they once did, which allowed Baker Mayfield to have his best game of the young season. Things could be different for the second-year quarterback when his shaky offensive line has to deal with the likes of Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner.

Nick Chubb was the catalyst in Cleveland’s win over Baltimore, rushing 20 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns. San Francisco is giving up 3.4 yards per carry.

Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t shown that he’s anything more than an average quarterback. With one of the NFL’s most talented backfields and a defense that doesn’t give up many points, the signal caller won’t have to be special to get a Week 5 win.

Freddie Kitchens and the Browns didn’t quell all concerns because of one win. With an extra week to prepare for Cleveland, Kyle Shanahan’s team is in a good position to remain perfect on the season.

Prediction: San Francisco over Cleveland, 23-16