David Bell, Dawand Jones among Browns’ unsung heroes in win over 49ers | Takeaways

CLEVELAND — David Bell had three catches coming into Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. He had played a total of 39 snaps on offense the entire season.

The Browns, though, probably don’t emerge with a 19-17 win over the previously undefeated 49ers if not for Bell.

“I don’t think it’s that hard to stay consistent,” said Bell, the 99th overall pick in the 2022 draft. “I always try to prepare like I’m that No. 1 guy because you never know what happens through the course of the game. Somebody may get tired, you may just get thrown in there. So mentally, I’m always prepared to go in there and do what is asked of me so I can be able to execute at the highest level.

“When my number was called today, it’s the preparation that I did throughout the week that led to the success today.”

It was Bell’s 6-yard grab with 6:52 remaining that allowed the Browns convert a fourth-and-4 from the 49ers 40. They capped that drive with a 50-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins to pull within 17-16 with 3:21 remaining.

Less than two minutes later, Hopkins made a 29-yard kick to give the Browns the lead with 1:40 left on the clock. About 90 seconds after that, San Francisco rookie kicker Jake Moody — the 99th overall pick in the 2023 draft — missed a 41-yard kick wide right with 6 seconds showing, sealing the Browns win.

Sure, there’s a world where the Browns find a way, even after giving the ball up on down with roughly six minutes remaining, to win the game. The way their defense was playing virtually the entire game would lend itself to some kind of opportunity.

Still, the fact Bell made the play he did meant the Browns didn’t have to go down that path. Not that Bell doubted for a second he wasn’t going to make the play he did.

“I mean, it was obviously big just to keep the drive alive,” Bell said. “We was down, so it was something that I needed to get accomplished. I believe that’s why they brought me here, to be able to make consistent catches in those type of moments.”

Bell was an unsung hero who emerged for the Browns on Sunday. He was far from the only one, though.

The biggest takeaway from Sunday was the number of unsung heroes the Browns needed in order to beat the previously unbeaten 49ers. That’s not even counting quarterback P.J. Walker, who was elevated from the practice squad to start with Deshaun Watson still recovering from a shoulder injury.

Here’s a look at a few more, including the big rookie who helped to minimize the damage done by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

When you line up against an edge rusher the caliber of the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, how you define a win for the day is often by whether or not the team wins the game. That was how Browns right tackle Dawand Jones was defining it after spending the better part of four quarters trying to keep his fellow ex-Ohio State standout at bay.

“Coming off of the bye week, we struggled getting a ‘W,'” Jones said. “We knew it was really critical and vital to get a ‘W’ this week. You don’t get a ‘W’ two weeks in a row in the NFL, it could be a long season. We say we prepare well.

“Like I said, I needed to make sure I prepare well. I went, got some reps with (Browns defensive end) Myles (Garrett) after practice, before practice, just make sure I understand where I’m getting a rush at.”

For the most part, Jones did well against last year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa finished with three tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, a pass defensed and, the biggest stat of all, only one sack.

The sack did come at a huge time, with the Browns facing third-and-10 from the 49ers 21 with 4:10 remaining while trailing 17-13. Bosa went between Jones, who was going out to help running back Jerome Ford take on the blitzing Isaiah Oliver, and right guard Wyatt Teller, who was helping center Ethan Pocic block Javon Hargraves.

The Browns still managed to get a field goal from Hopkins to pull within one. And one was all Jones allowed Bosa to get sack-wise.

“I worked my sets all week against Myles, against our scout guy,” Jones said. “I felt I had really perfected my craft for the week. I feel like it was game time and game day, it was really time to put everything and all the pieces together.”

Jones did get beat off the edge by Oliver on the play on which Walker was flagged for intentional grounding late in the first half. However, on that play, he was turning his attention to Bosa, who bluffed a rush before dropping into coverage.

Martin Emerson Jr. gets his first pick, gives Brock Purdy his first as well

You never forget your first. Browns second-year pro Martin Emerson Jr. definitely won’t forget his first interception.

Emerson came up with that first pick with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Quarterback Brock Purdy was trying to find Brandon Aiyuk on a skinny post when Emerson jumped the route and got the interception.

“That turnover just let them know we’re different,” Emerson said. “They’ve never seen anybody like this 11 (on defense) all year.”

It wasn’t just the first interception of Emerson’s career, it was the first one of the season for Purdy. The second-year quarterback had gone his first 149 passes without throwing a pick.

Corey Bojorquez unloads big punts at the right time

The 49ers were looking at potentially having about 20 seconds to possibly add to a 10-7 lead before halftime. The Browns were about to punt from their own 22.

That’s when Corey Bojorquez unloaded a 69-yard punt that essentially ended the half. The ball was downed at the 49ers 9, but moved to the 4 because of a holding call on San Francisco.

“It’s cool,” Bojorquez said. “Another eight yards would have been nice, but I’m not going to complain.”

Considering the quality of both defenses, it seemed like a low-scoring affair could be in the making Sunday. Once the game started, it was obvious that it would, making field position critical.

Bojorquez, aided by the 69-yarder, tried to do his part. He averaged 54.5 yards on four punts, with a net of 46.3.

Three of those four punts pinned San Francisco inside the 20.

“Wish it were four,” Bojorquez said. “I think it was pretty important. Our defense is one of, if not the, best in the league, so anytime you have a team starting inside the 20 or inside the 10 even, doesn’t look good for the other team.”

Bojorquez was also key to the field goal unit, which provided four Hopkins field goals. He held for those, with Charley Hughlett snapping.

“This isn’t throwing anyone under the bus,” Hopkins said. “There’s been times when you have to think about where the snap or hold might be. And you try not to think about it, but you’re reacting to it as you come to the ball. But with Charlie and Corey, I haven’t had to think about where the ball will be or how it’s going to be positioned. They’ve been so, so good at giving me good looks. And when you get a good look at the ball, it doesn’t mean you’re going to make everything but, man, your chances go up. They make my job a lot easier.”

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: David Bell, Dawand Jones top Browns unsung heroes vs. 49ers: Takeaways