The San Francisco 49ers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1990(!) with a 31-3 beat down of the Cleveland Browns last night. Facing questions about how “real” their undefeated record was, the Niners silenced their critics on the worldwide Monday Night Football stage with a mixture of suffocating defense and a punishing run game.

Leading the charge were running backs Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman. From the 49ers very first play from scrimmage, Breida galloped into the open field and raced down the sideline for an 83 yard score. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Breida reached 22.3 MPH, which was the fastest speed reached by any ball carrier since the beginning of last season.

With Breida totaling 129 total yards and 2 TDs, Tevin Coleman bounced back from his high-ankle sprain with a stellar game of his own. Posting 97 yards on the ground, Coleman punched in a 19 yard tote on a beautifully executed pin-and-pull run concept. The 49ers offensive line is an absolute treat to watch in the run game. Center Weston Richburg is an incredibly athletic player that appears to finally be living up to his lucrative free agency contract. Tight end George Kittle is essentially a 6th offensive lineman that possesses sticky hands and insane run after the catch ability.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the stingy San Francisco defense and their rookie standout, Nick Bosa. Bosa completely dominated the Browns’ over-matched offensive line. On the Browns’ first play of the second possession, Bosa broke through the line and forced Baker Mayfield to toss up an errant pass that cornerback Richard Sherman snagged out of the air. On my favorite play of the night, Bosa knifed through a double team, fell down, and still managed to crawl on the ground to sack Mayfield.

Bosa posted 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 4 hurries, and a forced fumble, according to Pro Football Focus. All in all, Bosa and the Niners defense smothered Mayfield, who was intercepted twice, sacked 4 times, and threw for only 100 yards, totaling a pitiful 13.4 passer rating.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t lights out, but he didn’t need to be. Supported by a dominant defense and a stellar run game, Garoppolo managed the game and kept the chains moving. Plagued by several drops and miscommunications by the receivers, the passing game still has plenty of time to grow.

The only blemish on the 49ers performance last night was the woeful field goal unit, which missed 2 kicks and had another blocked. The lone injury of the night befell fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who will miss 4-6 weeks with an MCL sprain. The 49ers look to extend their undefeated season next Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.