No game this week represents more of litmus test for both teams involved than Monday night’s matchup between the 49ers and Browns in Santa Clara, Calif.

Which team is for real?

The 49ers, who are 3-0 for the first time since Joe Montana was quarterbacking them in 1990, when they started 10-0?

The 2-2 Browns, who are seeking their first 3-0 start on the road since 1999, when Vinny Testaverde was their quarterback?

Or both?

The Browns, who’ve defeated the Jets and Ravens on the road this season, haven’t won three consecutive road games in a season since 2002 and last won three road games in a season in 2014.

During the past 10 seasons, neither team has distinguished itself, residing at the bottom of the league. From 2008-18, the Browns posted a league-worst 41-118 record, and the 49ers were 75-84-1, 19th in the league.

Both teams appear to be on the upswing.

While the 49ers were on their bye last week, the Browns ripped the Ravens in Baltimore, 40-25, gaining 530 yards of total offense and forcing four turnovers.

The 49ers are one of just three remaining undefeated teams — though their three wins came against the Buccaneers, Bengals and Steelers, who have a combined record of 3-9.

The 49ers have averaged 32 points per game and are led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — who’s completed 69 percent of his passes, thrown for five touchdowns, four interceptions and 739 yards. His most dangerous target is tight end George Kittle — who last season set the single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,377, breaking Rob Gronkowski’s 2011 record of 1,327. Kittle has 17 catches for 165 yards through the first three games.

Defensively, after allowing an average of 27 points per game last season, the 49ers have allowed an average of 18 this year. Their seven takeaways already have matched their total for all of last season, and have been converted into 31 points.

The Browns’ offense is led by second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw for 342 yards and a TD last week, and running back Nick Chubb, who rushed for season-high 165 yards against the Ravens.

Mayfield’s top receiving targets are Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, who had his best game of the season last week with eight catches for 167 yards.

Protecting Mayfield is one of the keys to this game for Cleveland, which has struggled to do so. Mayfield is on pace to be sacked 48 times this season.

Meanwhile, the 49ers defense is on pace for 48 sacks. A big part of their defensive improvement has been rookie pass rusher Nick Bosa, the second-overall pick in the 2019 draft. He has 17 quarterback pressures this season.

So this game will feature two of the top young pass rushers in the game, with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett on the other side of the field.