San Francisco 49ers: 5 Traps to Be Wary of Against Cleveland Browns

The 5-1 San Francisco 49ers, coming of their bye, will face the 3-3 Cleveland Browns in Candlestick Park this upcoming Sunday.

The 49ers have established themselves as contenders in the NFC, and with head coach Jim Harbaugh's leadership, the Niners should finish the season with a playoff berth. Before those dreams can be realized, the Browns are at bat. 

The Cleveland Browns, led by head coach Pat Shurmur, have played fairly well thus far and are still in the hunt within the AFC North. The Browns will face a NFC West team for a second consecutive game, after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7. Against the Niners on the road, the Browns will have their hands full. 

This is a trap game for the Niners, as they should be considered the heavy favorite heading into their matchup with the Browns.

Straying from Offensive Identity

The Niners are a run-oriented offense and can't forget their roots against the Browns this Sunday. Frank Gore is having a Pro Bowl caliber season and the offensive line is gelling at the right time. 

The Browns are an excellent defensive team, ranking first against the pass and fifth overall in yards allowed. Joe Haden (CB) and T.J. Ward (S) are quite a young duo for the Browns. They will have their hands full if the Niners are able to establish the run early.

Joshua Cribbs

Brad Seely, 49ers special teams coach, faces his former squad in the Cleveland Browns. Seely will have to stop the machine he helped to created in Josh Cribbs. 

Cribbs, along with the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester, is one of the most dangerous kick return/punt return specialist in the league. 

The Niners have done an excellent job in special teams coverage this season, and that can be attributed to the Seely's presence.

Stopping the Run

The Niners are ranked second against the run and haven't surrendered a rushing touchdown all season. Peyton Hillis hasn't played well this season with the constant injuries and contract issues standing in the way. 

Nevertheless, if Hillis is healthy enough to play, the Niners must contain the 6'2" bruiser. Hillis' performance this Sunday will determine how aggressive Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy will be.

McCoy in the Pocket

McCoy isn't a big-play quarterback, but when he is improvising on the run, big plays can result. The Niners should keep McCoy in the confines of the pocket where he has to drop back and read the defense.

If the Niners employ this strategy, the defensive line, headlined by Justin and Aldon Smith, will be licking their chops.

Becoming Complacent

With all the surrounding media hype and praise, the Niners must keep a level head.

Overconfidence can lead to poor play, which could give the Browns a chance to come into Candlestick Park and steal a win.