49ers vs. Browns: What's the Game Plan for Cleveland?

The Johnny Manziel redemption tour will last four games and begins Sunday at 1 p.m. ET when the Cleveland Browns host the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Manziel had already been named the team’s starting quarterback two weeks ago. But TMZ Sports reported that he was videotaped, partying and apparently drinking during the team’s bye week. That upset head coach Mike Pettine. In a Cleveland Browns press conference, he said the quarterback violated his coaching staff’s trust after promising not to embarrass the organization.

However, after losing starting quarterback Josh McCown for the season and Austin Davis not impressing anyone last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pettine can’t sit by while his already-eliminated Browns drift listlessly toward the 2015 finish line.

Manziel’s adherence to team policies and play on the field during this final stretch may determine his future with Cleveland.

When it’s over he’ll have started nine NFL games. By then, the Browns should have a better idea if he’s worth all the trouble.

Offensive Game Plan

The 49ers have a young, inexperienced defense that lost several key players before and during the 2015 season. If injured linebacker Aaron Lynch suits up, they’ll have six first-year defenders starting for them. According to NFL.com, Lynch suffered a concussion this past Sunday, but he returned to practice in a limited, noncontact fashion on Friday.

49ers defensive coordinator (and former Browns head coach) Eric Mangini has done the best with what he has, but results have varied. In four of their last six games, the 49ers have allowed at least 170 rushing yards.

The Browns, though, are averaging a league-low 73.9 yards per game on the ground and have averaged 50.8 rushing yards per game over their last five contests. That needs to change, and it all starts with their experienced offensive line.

If Manziel has serviceable run support, he should be able to take some shots downfield to wide receiver Travis Benjamin. The two have hooked up repeatedly for big plays this season, an element that has been missing from the Browns offense with the sophomore quarterback on the sidelines.

Defensive Game Plan

Defensively, the Browns don’t have very much to worry about. 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith is a player they know well from his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s a one-trick receiver who can stretch the field—but not much else.

He won’t be at 100 percent, either. A back injury has earned him a questionable tag. But if he does suit up, the Browns have to get a jam on him at the line of scrimmage to disrupt his timing with new starter Blaine Gabbert.

The former first-rounder has led the 49ers to a 2-2 mark since taking over for Colin Kaepernick last month. He has wide receiver Anquan Boldin to turn to—but not many other passing weapons. According to NFL.com, tight end Vance McDonald will miss this week’s game due to a concussion.

49ers running back Carlos Hyde’s continued absence leaves former Browns back Shaun Draughn as the team’s workhorse running back. That shouldn’t matter against the Browns' porous rush defense. Other backups and tertiary options have looked like Pro Bowlers against them this season.

Key Player Matchups

CB Tramon Williams vs. WR Anquan Boldin

Tramon Williams and Browns defensive backs have been sloppy this season. Williams was beat repeatedly by A.J. Green last week. He has been scored on multiple times after starting strong the first couple weeks of the season.

Boldin has been the top target for Gabbert, nabbing 31 targets in three weeks. Draughn is the next highest 49ers player over that span with 22 targets.

Something has to give when these two veterans face off. Boldin will challenge Williams with crisp routes and toughness off the line of scrimmage. We’ll see if that’s enough to get separation. Williams has played well against Boldin-type receivers, but he has struggled with quicker players.

TE Gary Barnidge vs. LB NaVorro Bowman

Mangini won’t be foolish enough to keep linebacker NaVorro Bowman in man coverage all game against Gary Barnidge. The Browns tight end leads the team with 60 catches and seven touchdowns. But if matched up against Bowman, Barnidge should be able to make an impact.

Bowman has struggled some this season in coverage. Pro Football Focus has graded him negatively to this point with a minus-3.1 coverage grade. But he has scored positive marks during his last three outings.

Whoever is on him, Barnidge needs to get back into the end zone this week. He hasn’t scored since Manziel’s last start—three weeks ago at Pittsburgh.

Prediction

Both teams have proved they aren’t very good, and both are dealing with roster casualties. It’s Week 14, after all.

Gabbert’s play has been a boost for the 49ers at quarterback, but they are traveling from the West Coast and playing a Browns team that was blown out on their home field last week by their in-state rival.

Fans booed and left early. Embarrassment is another word that comes to mind. They can't like that feeling, and the team's coaches are likely coaching for their jobs over the course of the next four games.

Manziel’s big third—or maybe it’s his fourth—chance will reward his coaches with enough good plays to extend drives and score against the also-poor 49ers defense. The boost he gives them, running the ball, will help get the Browns’ dormant running game going.

If that happens, there’s no reason to think they can’t keep up the scoring pace with another team bereft of weapons and offensive identity.

Final Prediction: Browns 20, 49ers 17

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via ESPN.com.

All quotes and team announcements courtesy of Browns e-mail press releases by communication managers Dan Murphy and Rob McBurnett.