How nice to have a (for me, at least, in the UK) early kickoff, and relatively easy win. After much teeth-gnashing over the conditions, Cleveland’s defense, and our record there since 1984, the 49ers took care of business quietly and efficiently, picking up an excellent 24-8 road win over the Browns.

My Hottest Take: You Should Shut Up About Brock Purdy

I barely mentioned Brock Purdy’s three-interception game last week, if only because I knew you could turn on any media outlet across the Eastern seaboard and hear about it–you certainly didn’t need to hear it from me, not when I’ve got thousands more interesting things to use my word count up for. Regardless, the endless debate started again after an up-and-down performance, and to read some of the discourse from my fellow analysts and fans, you’d think Purdy walks around with a crash helmet on in case the sky falls in.

Happily, Sunday’s game against the Browns showed exactly why he’s the 49ers' No. 1 quarterback, but also one of the best in the league. In tough conditions, with howling winds and freezing temperatures, Brock Purdy produced an efficient game that helped lead the team to victory. Sure, it was only 168 yards and a touchdown, but his command of the offense and ability to pull out big drives when required (such as in the two-minute drill before the half, which helped give the Niners a 10-8 lead they never let slip) was on full display. It had to be, too, as the 49ers' run game was largely bottled up in terms of explosive plays, with only 91 rushing yards on 33 carries.

Honestly, guys, it’s time to stop talking about Purdy so much. He has the occasional bad week, as every quarterback does, but he’s the most efficient and reliable quarterback this team has had in decades. He’s the guy. It becomes clearer every year, and winning in a place the team hasn’t for 41 years should help to prove that. It’s frustrating that the league’s discourse and yards and yards of television film are devoted to players like Shedeur Sanders' "potential," while Purdy continues to produce at a high level for years with people waiting to knock him down.

What You Need To Know: Off-season (and In-season) Moves are Paying Off

I’ve said a few times before that I think I’m on the optimistic side of team coverage. There are times I’ll be frustrated–see my comments on the team prioritising "solid veterans" over youngsters with upsides, or our abandonment of offensive line development)–but generally, I’ll come down on the team’s side. (If only because rather than assume the upper brass are clueless, I assume there's a "why" to the decisions the team make, and more often than not, that’s been borne out by the results.)

That was true again on Sunday. The 49ers decision to go younger on defense, shore up special teams with the likes of Skyy Moore, Siran Neal, and Luke Gifford has been criticised at times by analysts, and actually resulted in me having something of a Bluesky war with Tim Kawakami, but oddly enough, they seem to be working out. Youngsters like Dee Winters and Upton Stout impressed again on Sunday, while mid-season pickups Cle Ferrell and Keion White also had impactful plays on defense. Ferrell is now second on the team in sacks, and only joined the team in November.

The special teams unit, meanwhile, handed the offense two short fields and was also flawless in the field position battle. After criticism of the team’s offseason moves and quiet trade deadline, recent results prove that maybe these guys running the show know what they’re doing after all.

Before You Go: All the Paths are Open

The win was the big news on Sunday, but perhaps one of the other most consequential moments came in a game far away from Ohio, with the Los Angeles Rams falling to the Carolina Panthers. With the Rams still having to play the Seattle Seahawks, suddenly, the NFC West, as well as a wildcard spot, looks open to the Niners. We’ll likely need to win out for the division, and probably need three wins for a wildcard, but the picture looks a hell of a lot rosier than it did after the Rams blowout win over us a few weeks ago.

My guess is that the looming Week 18 battle with the Seahawks might be yet another game with our long-time rivals that has huge implications. Nervous? Good; it means something to you.