SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Richard Sherman has a strong message for anyone still doubting the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers.
"Don't flip-flop," Sherman said after the 49ers thumped the Cleveland Browns 31-3 on Monday night. "If you said we weren't going to make it, you said we were some way early on, stick with that position. Hold it. Don't try to give us credit now. At least stick by you word because I want you to sound like an idiot at the end. We know what we have in the building."
What the 49ers have is their best start since Joe Montana was throwing touchdowns to Jerry Rice.
But it wasn't the passing game that carried San Francisco past Cleveland. A pounding running game and a dominant defensive effort did the trick this time.
Matt Breida ran 83 yards for a touchdown on San Francisco's first play from scrimmage, Baker Mayfield was harassed into his worst game as a pro, and the 49ers stayed unbeaten for their best start in nearly 30 years.
Tevin Coleman added a 19-yard score as part of a dominant ground game on a night when Jimmy Garoppolo passed for just 181 yards.
Mayfield had a horrible game. The No. 1 overall pick last year, Mayfield completed eight of 22 passes for a career-low 100 yards, had a 13.4 passer rating, threw two interceptions, fumbled twice and was sacked four times before being pulled in the fourth quarter.
