49ers vs. Browns: Full San Francisco Game Preview

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off their first road win of the 2015 season—a 26-20 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday—and will look to have their first two-game winning streak of the year as they travel to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.

At 4-8, the 49ers aren't going to be making any plans for postseason football. But this last stretch of the season will help reveal a bit of the team's plans for 2016 and beyond.

Young players such as safety Jaquiski Tartt, defensive end Arik Armstead and tight end Blake Bell are just some of the names to watch in this game and throughout the rest of the year.

And so is quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who continues to audition for a starting role in 2016.

In the 49ers' path is the 2-10 Cleveland Browns—a team facing plenty of its own issues this season.

Can San Francisco look to establish some continued momentum in this road bout and improve its record in an attempt to finish the season on a positive note?

Let's take a look inside this matchup and detail some of the aspects leading up to this Week 14 contest.

Location: FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland

Day and Time: Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

NFC West Division Standings

• Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
• Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
• St. Louis Rams (4-8)
• San Francisco 49ers (4-8)

The 49ers shouldn't have won last Sunday's contest in Chicago. 

Not only did the Bears outgain San Francisco's offense 364 yards to 291, but Chicago kicker Robbie Gould missed two critical field goals—one of which would have sealed the deal with time expiring in the fourth quarter.

For the most part, the 49ers were ineffective on offense during regulation minus quarterback Blaine Gabbert's 44-yard touchdown run to help tie things up at 20 apiece. Punter Bradley Pinion was busy with nine punts, and the 49ers managed just 13 first downs compared to the Bears' 20.

But Gabbert's scramble, along with defensive back Jimmie Ward's pick-six interception off Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, showcased the impact-moment plays San Francisco has been lacking for much of the season.

And the 71-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Gabbert to wide receiver Torrey Smith in overtime was another suggestion toward the 49ers finding some sort of offensive rhythm.

They came away with a 26-20 victory.

San Francisco was tested with injuries during the contest. Tight end Vance McDonald (concussion) and linebackers Michael Wilhoite (ankle) and Aaron Lynch (concussion) had to come out of the game.

Fortunately, the 49ers' depth proved to be adequate enough.

Jimmie Ward Ends 49ers' First-Quarter Zero-TD Streak

The Bears might have owned defensive back Jimmie Ward when these two teams met a season ago, but Ward got his revenge thanks to a 29-yard interception off Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, which he returned for a touchdown.

The end-zone score marked the first time San Francisco recorded a first-quarter touchdown this season.

"I peeked at [Alshon Jeffery] a little bit, and I saw him coming in," Ward said, per the team's website. "I knew the screen was coming. (Cutler) ended up throwing it, and I jumped the ball and scored."

Ward is playing significantly better his second pro season, which hints at a solid investment from the 49ers' first-round efforts back in 2014.

Joe Montana Praises Blaine Gabbert

Even though the 49ers still rank dead last on offense (178 total points), quarterback Blaine Gabbert has shown enough ability to earn consideration for a starting role in 2016. He'll look to improve his 2-2 record with San Francisco this week.

One of the people in his corner is Hall of Fame quarterback and 49ers great Joe Montana, who had some kind remarks about Gabbert, per Sporting News (h/t CSNBayArea.com):

[Gabbert is] definitely some(one) you need to keep around. He's proved he can not only play at the level to win games, but also in that offense. That's key in proving his worth to the team. I don't know what will happen with Colin [Kaepernick] or what their plans are with him, but at this point at time, I don't think you let Blaine get away.

At 26 years old, Gabbert is almost two full years younger than Kaepernick. Needless to say, his performances over four starts will lead to an interesting discussion this offseason and beyond with the former's future in San Francisco.

49ers to Face Johnny Manziel

Earlier this week, Browns head coach Mike Pettine elected to name quarterback Johnny Manziel the starter in advance of Cleveland's Week 14 matchup against the 49ers.

Manziel has had his fair share of off-field issues and has started just three games this season primarily in the stead of quarterback Josh McCown (collarbone).

“Johnny Manziel is a playmaker,” head coach Jim Tomsula said, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “He can use his feet and make it backyard ball, so we have to be real smart how we approach that from the pocket to the back end.”

The 49ers defense has been playing well as of late. This unit held Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer to 267 passing yards in Week 12 and Cutler to just 194 last week.

RB Carlos Hyde (Foot)—Out

Featured running back Carlos Hyde continues to miss time while dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, and there doesn't appear to be any timetable for his return.

"I don't know if Carlos will play this year or not,” head coach Jim Tomsula said, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “I know Carlos would like to try and play."

But the likelihood may be Hyde winding up on season-ending injured reserve in order to prevent any setbacks for a player who promises to be a critical factor in San Francisco's future plans.

In the meantime, the 49ers will continue to utilize heavy doses of fellow back Shaun Draughn, who is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry over four games but has also emerged as a pass-catching threat with an average of 7.4 yards on 22 receptions.

LB Aaron Lynch (Concussion)—Questionable

The 49ers lost linebacker Aaron Lynch to a concussion in Week 13, and the second-year pro will have to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol in order to return against the Browns.

According to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com, "Lynch feels 'fine'" and should be OK after suffering the head injury.

Lynch is the 49ers' best pass-rusher and leads the team this year with 6.5 sacks. Backup linebackers Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold will likely see an increase in playing time should Lynch not be available for the contest.

TE Vance McDonald (Concussion)—Questionable

Tight end Vance McDonald has discovered something of a rapport with quarterback Blaine Gabbert and has been the recipient of two of Gabbert's five passing touchdowns on the season. But a concussion in Week 13 ensured his two-game touchdown streak would end.

With fellow TE Garrett Celek (ankle) now on IR and done for the season, San Francisco has just one healthy tight end on its roster: rookie Blake Bell.

Perhaps the 49ers will elect to use more sets involving fullback Bruce Miller if McDonald is unavailable. Long snapper Kyle Nelson is also an option since he is also listed as a tight end.

LB Michael Wilhoite (Ankle)—Questionable

An ankle injury forced inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite out of Sunday's contest after just seven plays, and he was replaced by backup linebacker Gerald Hodges.

Hodges ended up recording six tackles during the effort and finished the game with a plus-1.9 overall rating, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wilhoite did not practice Wednesday, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com, which casts some doubt on him starting in Week 14. If so, expect Hodges to be named the starter alongside fellow linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

49ers Pass Rush vs. Johnny Manziel

With Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel starting Sunday—the announcement made in the above video—San Francisco will need to place an emphasis on its ability to generate the pass rush.

Manziel has a 79.6 passer rating while under pressure, according to PFF, compared to 93.8 when not pressured.

A possible absence from linebacker Aaron Lynch could be a hindrance here, and the 49ers were only able to manage one sack against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. But Cleveland has suffered its own pass-protecting woes.

This unit has allowed a total of 41 sacks on the year but grades out with a plus-10.5 PFF mark. This suggests a majority of the sacks fall on Browns quarterbacks.

The 49ers need to continue that trend.

NaVorro Bowman and Eric Reid vs. Gary Barnidge

Cleveland tight end Gary Barnidge has been the Browns' best receiving option on the season with a team-leading 60 receptions and seven touchdowns. And six of those end-zone scores have come within the red zone.

Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini will likely employ a combination of coverages to limit Barnidge's abilities on Sunday, but two defenders who may be assigned a lot of work here are linebacker NaVorro Bowman and safety Eric Reid.

Bowman has a minus-3.1 pass-coverage grade, per PFF, while Reid ranks in with a plus-1.2 mark.

Joe Staley vs. Paul Kruger

Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger is Cleveland's best pass-rusher with a plus-5.7 pass-rushing grade on the season, per PFF. Despite having only 2.5 sacks on the year, Kruger is capable of disrupting the pocket and has 30 quarterback hurries to his name in 2015.

Lining up against him will be left tackle Joe Staley, who remains San Francisco's best offensive lineman despite a so-so effort in Week 13.

Staley will look to prevent exposure to quarterback Blaine Gabbert's backside long enough for San Francisco's quarterback to make plays.

Anquan Boldin vs. Tramon Williams

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin remains the 49ers' best receiving option this season with 49 catches for 595 yards and two touchdowns. 

The physical veteran will frequently match up against the Browns' No. 1 cornerback, Tramon Williams (6'0", 192 lbs), as the 49ers offense attempts to move the ball through the air.

Williams is among the Cleveland leaders in tackles this season (41) and also has six passes defended to his credit.

49ers' X-Factors of the Week: Shaun Draughn and Blaine Gabbert

Through four starts, quarterback Blaine Gabbert has done enough to justify the switch at the starting position from Colin Kaepernick.

Gabbert may not have the wow factor under center, although his rushing- and passing-touchdown scores in the late moments of last Sunday's contest are worthy of praise.

The Browns defense is awful this season and ranks No. 31 in the league with 347 total points allowed. And 3,150 of the net 4,786 yards given up have come through the air, which puts Cleveland's passing defense at No. 25 this season.

The Browns defense has also generated a mere eight interceptions on the season, so it won't test Gabbert's ability to protect the ball to an extreme.

But even more critical to the game could be the efforts of running back Shaun Draughn.

Draughn spent the first six weeks of the 2015 season with the Browns before being placed on the scrapheap. San Francisco subsequently picked him up prior to Week 9, when its own crop of running backs wore thin.

The 28-year-old back had just two carries for Cleveland this season and was a virtual non-factor. San Francisco has turned him into one, so it will be interesting to watch whether Draughn can find some extra motivation against the team that let him go.

Oh, and the Browns have allowed the second-highest rushing yards in the NFL this season (1,636).

Heading into Week 14, Odds Shark currently lists the Browns as one-point favorites over the 49ers with a predicted score of 22.3 to 20.2 in favor of Cleveland.

Granted, San Francisco's road splits have been pretty awful this season and especially on defense.

The 49ers are allowing an average of 26 points on the road compared to 15.8 at home.

But San Francisco's defense has been playing well as of late—efforts that held the high-flying Cardinals offense to just 19 points in Week 12 and the Bears to 20 last Sunday. Signs are pointing to defensive coordinator Eric Mangini putting his unit into an effective game plan without compromising coverages.

The 49ers' first road win of the season should also add some extra momentum. San Francisco won a close game away from Levi's Stadium and took advantage of its opponent's mistakes. That's what you have to do as an underdog visitor, and the 49ers did such.

San Francisco's Week 14 prospects are also aided by Cleveland's own woes. The Browns rank toward the bottom in nearly every major offensive and defensive category. 

Advantage: 49ers.

Look for the 49ers to pull off their second road win of the season and, while it may not necessarily be dominant in terms of a performance, improve their record to a halfway-respectable 5-8 on the year.

A San Francisco winning streak? Who would have thought?

Prediction: 49ers 21, Browns 13

All statistics, injury reports, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.