Keys to Sunday’s 49ers-Bengals game

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan yells during the first half of the team’s NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Jim Harbaugh helped the 49ers this week.

When he was the 49ers’ head coach, he made the team stay in Youngstown, Ohio, twice — once in 2011 and once in 2012. The idea was to keep the players on East Coast time during the week between back- to-back East Coast road games.

The idea worked. Harbaugh’s 49ers won both games they played after staying in Youngstown. They beat the Eagles 24-23 in 2011 and blew out the Jets 34-0 in 2012.

Kyle Shanahan borrowed Harbaugh’s idea this week and kept the 49ers in Youngstown in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Fair is fair — Harbaugh said he borrows Shanahan’s play designs all the time.

Thanks in part to Harbaugh, the 49ers have given themselves the best chance to beat the Bengals.

Here are five essential things to look for in the 49ers’ game plan.

This article has 30 Comments

    1. Well played. Jack went with the last 49ers Bengals Super Bowl score. Super Bowl XXIII I believe down in Miami.

      The ghost of John Candy approves this message.

    2. Sounds about right Jack….unless JimmyP suddenly becomes accurate and throws to the OPEN receiver LOL

  1. Imma go more conservative and say

    49ers – 16, Bengals 10

    Bengals facing a more complete defense in the Niners. Bosa being healthy would surely tip the scales towards shutting down Dalton. However, I don’t see Jimmy G breaking out this game considering the Bengals D is pretty good and they’re once again playing in hot weather, though not as humid as Tampa. Expect Gould to kick quite a few field goals.

  2. This rb group will shine tmrw, would like to see at least 5 carries for Mostert and Wilson Jr if hes active. Coleman has been meh so far, each of these guys playing tmrw have been dynamite in their own right. Open up play action by pounding them early and often, JG is due to have a JG game perhaps at home next wk vs pit…..hoping its vs cincy tmrw in a bounce bk performance of sorts, kwon also in that category. Expect the def to b even more lit with him bringing the xtra ampage

  3. I’m not sure why SF would have Sherman matchup with Ross with no overtop help. If they did wouldn’t they rather have Witherspoon against him?
    Even so, I believe they will be implementing more of a pattern match cover 2as they were utilizing it a fair amount in the preseason already.

  4. I see Grant’s using the ‘Shanahan arms spread imploring (from 9/4)’ photo again. Might bring good luck today.

    Niners 29, Bengals 20.

  5. Matchups –
    49ers Oline vs Cinci Dline – edge Cinci
    This is the bengals biggest advantage. They have the players to blow up the middle as well as solid edge rushers.

    49ers RBs vs Cinci LB’s – edge 49ers.
    The Bengals like to play 3 linebackers or they did last week with speed SF possesses in the backfield they should be able to shake free.

    49ers Wr vs Cinci db’s – edge even.
    The bengals db’s got beat several times and appeared undisciplined. The 49ers wideouts meanwhile didn’t appear to be world beaters meanwhile.

    49ers TE’s vs Cinci Safeties- edge SF.
    Kittle gets the edge regardless of opponent

    49ers Dline vs Cinci Oline – edge SF.
    Cinci is missing both starting tackles this should be SF’s biggest edge.

    49ers lbs vs Cinci Rb’s – slight edge SF.
    This is dependent on Mixon not being at full health.

    49ers db’s vs Cinci wr’s – edge Cinci.
    Ross is a tough matchup and the others also got open against Seattle.

    49ers safeties vs Cinci TE – edge Cinci
    Cincinnati only get a slight edge here because I believe the niners safeties attention will be split with John Ross’s deep threat.

  6. Warm, muggy day in Cincy. I think the point spread (46) is right on the money. Two good defenses will dictate the play today. Sorry Seb, but it’s your often used score!
    I’m taking SF +1 and the over (46)

    SF 24. CIN 23

    Good luck!

  7. 1. Tevin Coleman was not the best RB During the preseason. Wilson looked better, especially running inside. Glad they elevated him. On Wilson’s TD run in preseason, he let the defense over run the play, then cut back, with CJB throwing a good block. I do not want JG throwing blocks, but those cut backs and misdirection runs may be very effective.
    .
    2. KS needs to let JG air it out more. It is nice to let JG build his confidence with the short passes, but they will try to shut down the short game, so long strikes down field should be in the game plan, especially for the play action passes.
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    3. Sherman is too grabby, and he is not fast enough to cover Ross. Maybe moving Sherman to safety, and letting DJ Reed or Moseley cover Ross. Moseley ran a 4.38 forty in his pro day. If Sherman goes to safety, maybe Tarvarius Moore, and his 4.32 speed can cover Ross.
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    4. Zac Taylor may want to attack Saleh’s defense, but he became one dimensional by abandoning the run. This will play into the Niner’s hands, because Dalton will be harried and sacked by the ferocious pass rush. That pressure will make Dalton inaccurate, so the ball hawking DBs can get picks. Dalton looked good, but maybe the Seahawk DBs were bad. Tedric Thompson over ran an interception. However, the Bengals watched TB run up the middle against the Niners, so expect them to try and do the same thing.
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    5. Saleh will look at how Seattle defended against the Bengals. I hope he has Buckner and Armstead rushing in Dalton’s passing lanes with a arm in the air. Maybe a tipped pass can be intercepted. Saleh better watch out for some trick plays, and maybe do some unexpected blitzes.Woods should put double coverage on Ross.
    .
    Niners 24-23. It’s OK Juan, like minds think alike.

      1. Unfortunately, LaRoy Reynolds, who spent TC and Preseason with the Niners, is now with the Bengals.
        .
        KS should act accordingly, and do things differently. He should be unpredictable, and do unexpected things.

  8. Seb, give up on the Sherman to safety thing. It’s not goin to happen.

    28-17, Niners—Only if Niners can eliminate costly turnovers and stupid penalties…a big task on the road in only week 2.

    I’m also predicting a dominating win for me against Houston 9er in fantasy football today ;-)

    GO NINERS!! And GO (CAL) BEARS who have started the year 3-0 so far!!!

    1. Alpha, I am counting on Joe Woods making an astute assessment, and timely adjustment.
      .
      Is it unheard of? Ronnie Lott moved to safety, and I think it prolonged his career. He also made it to the HOF as a safety.
      .
      GO NINERS!!!!! and GO BEARS!!!

      1. Seb, while I agree, Lott made a HOF career for himself after the switch to safety, he did so in the early stages of his career, not in the twilight of his career like Sherman. Sherman has never played safety and has never practiced at the position. For Woods —> Saleh—> Shannahan to all of a sudden switch him to FS in week two would seem randomly foolish. They already have more depth at FS with Moore playing well and “Hospital” Ward safely packaged in bubble wrap sitting on the bench. Whereas corners are in rare supply.

        1. We will have to agree to disagree.
          .
          I think Sherman is skilled enough to be versatile. He probably knows exactly where every player should be on defense, and could seamlessly transition, with little practice. Sherman is very smart, and could follow in Ronnie Lott’s footsteps.
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          Woods and Saleh wanted his safeties to move around, so the offense cannot key on them.

    2. Agree UncleSherm will not be moving to Safety…..have they done this in practice? NO….get real

  9. 34 – 13 Niners, The only question is will the Niners have sole possession of first place today. Hawks play in Pittsburg where that haven’t had much success, and the Saints visit the Rams, never bet against Breeze, so….

  10. Appropriately, I have The Patriots in my survival pool today (won last week with Seattle) while I’m vacationing in Boston. First look at Fenway Tuesday night! Giants in town!! Weird with no 10:00 NFL games this morning. Go Niners!

  11. I think a key will be JimmyP hitting the open receiver=last week he continually threw into coverage and not away from it…if he does more of this it will come back to bite him….Also Dalton may test the secondary= he has the arm to throw down the field and we may see this….

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