Cleveland vs. San Francisco: 5 Halftime Adjustments the 49ers Must Make

Needless to say, both these teams are off to surprising starts this year. The 49ers have exploded onto the scene with rookie coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm and lead the NFC West with a 5-1 record. Cleveland has surpassed expectations so far, sitting at 3-3 and still very much in the playoff hunt.

On a beautiful day in San Francisco, the game started ugly for the Browns and the lead has slowly grown. Both defenses are stout, so this game will hinge on who gets more takeaways and who gives their offense more possessions to work with.

Here are five big halftime adjustments the 49ers must make to assure the win today:

1. If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix it

The running game, that is. Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and the offensive line have been unstoppable for the last few weeks. There is no need to change that strategy. Stick with what's working and hand the ball off, especially if the Cleveland defense is going to continue to be so easy to carve up.

Mixing Hunter and Gore has worked beautifully this season, and it has taken pressure off the passing game. All elite teams have a good rushing attack. Running the ball down Cleveland's throat will open up some options in the passing game and tire out the defense.

2. Pressure McCoy

So far, this strategy is working. They can do it even more, though. I haven't seen Aldon Smith make a huge impact yet, and Justin Smith hasn't had a sack, which is rare to see this season. McCoy has the tendency to get nervous in the pocket and make bad decisions with the ball as a result.

If they can get to him in the pocket and make him force a throw or get a couple sacks, the young Browns QB will be rattled to the point of no return. The Niners' ferocious defense has looked strong so far today. Keep getting to McCoy and the Browns will have no chance.

3. Turnovers

Win the turnover battle. So far, the 49ers have this aspect covered. And they usually do, which is a big reason for their hot start in 2011. Again, if the 49ers can force McCoy into to fumble or throwing a pick, the momentum becomes overwhelming and puts that rushing attack back on the field.

Getting takeaways is a key aspect of any win, and the 49ers are certainly good at that. They are one of the top teams in the league in turnover differential, but against such a good defense it's imperative that Smith make good decisions at QB and they don't give any free chances to the Cleveland offense.

4. Ball Control

The 49ers offense has been the beneficiary of a great defense all season long. It's given them the opportunity to dominate time of possession in a lot of their games. Tiring out the opposing defense is always a nice key to winning. That's no different today.

Cleveland has the fourth-best defense in the AFC. And so far, the 49ers are taking it to them with the running game in long drives. That's exactly what they must continue to do in the second half. Wearing out that front seven is going to allow even more room on the ground, which opens up more room in the passing game, and so on. 

5. Use the Tight Ends

Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are two of the most athletic, dangerous players in the league. Yet today, we've hardly seen either of them. Justin Peelle has made a couple plays, but where are the big guns? If the 49ers really want to run away with this game and make a statement, Alex Smith needs to find his big tight ends.

Davis and Walker can both be used in multiple sets. Once the running game completely busts open the Cleveland defense, look for a couple of dump-off passes to one of these guys for a big play that will put the game out of reach.