The San Francisco 49ers will look to rebound from last week’s disappointing loss when they travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. The 49ers currently cling to the final position in the NFC playoffs and a victory over another playoff caliber team on the road would increase their margin for error.
Here are five questions to watch for on Sunday.
1. Can the 49ers get the run game going?
The 49ers offense is at its best when the run game is performing at a high level. With Deebo Samuel out last week in Seattle, the 49ers struggled to get the run game on track, finishing with the lowest total of the season at 71 yards.
This week the 49ers backfield may be shorthanded. Elijah Mitchell will be out after suffering a concussion in the second half in Seattle.
With Mitchell out and Deebo Samuel questionable with a groin injury, the focus of the San Francisco run game may turn to Jeff Wilson Jr. and JaMycal Hasty. Brian Hill, signed to the practice squad Wednesday, may be called up to the active roster as well.
Wilson had irritation in his surgically repaired knee earlier in the week, but he was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. A tough runner, Wilson will be looking to recapture the form that led to 371 yards in his three starts last season.
Cincinnati’s defense has done a good job against the run this season. The Bengals have allowed the 11th fewest yards per carry, 4.1.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel addressed Cincinnati’s run defense on Thursday.
“They’ve done an outstanding job defending the run,” said McDaniel. “I think they have put in multiple fronts and coverages and their defense plays hard.”
2. Will Jimmy Garoppolo make enough plays?
With the injuries mentioned in the backfield, San Francisco my need Jimmy Garoppolo to make up the difference.
Garoppolo will face a Cincinnati defense, which has struggled to cover the middle of the field and will be without linebacker Logan Wilson. The second-year linebacker leads the Bengals in tackles (92) and interceptions (4).
This should help Garoppolo, who is at his best when working between the numbers. Garoppolo has a passer rating of 127.4 on throws into this area in 2021.
Not having Wilson on the field also could lead to another strong game from George Kittle. The All-Pro tight end had 181 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions last week in Seattle, his best performance of the season.
“He’ll have his opportunities to touch the ball in some way, shape or form,” said McDaniel. “I think he’s excited for that.”
Don’t forget about Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk has come on strong with 346 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers last five contests. Look for the 49ers to try and attack the middle of the defense with Aiyuk running deep in cuts behind the linebackers. This is something San Francisco had a lot of success with during their win two weeks ago over Minnesota.
3. Will the 49ers’ secondary overcome injury to Emmanuel Moseley?
The 49ers will be without their best cover corner on Sunday. Emmanuel Moseley suffered a high ankle sprain last week in Seattle and is expected to miss a few weeks.
Seattle wasted little time taking advantage of Moseley’s injury last week, completing all four passes against the coverage of rookie Deommodore Lenoir including a touchdown. Lenoir also was called for pass interference in the end zone, which gave Seattle the ball on San Francisco’s one yard line. Adrian Peterson would take the ball in for a touchdown on the next play.
Veteran Dontae Johnson replaced Lenoir for the second half and fared better. Although Seattle completed two of three pass attempts into Johnson’s coverage, they only gained 19 yards.
Johnson has been ruled out due to a personal matter. That means the 49ers will likely turn to either Lenoir or fellow rookie Ambry Thomas to start opposite veteran Josh Norman.
Lenoir has allowed a team worst 125.4 passer rating. After a decent start to the season Lenoir has struggled, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete all seven of their passes into his coverage, two of which went for touchdowns.
Thomas, a third-round selection in the 2021 draft has played a total of 20 defensive snaps this season. Opposing quarterbacks have completed all six passes thrown into Thomas’ coverage.
Cincinnati’s passing game has been explosive this season, averaging the seventh highest net yards per attempt in the league. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee, Higgins, and Tyler Boyd combine to average just under 200 receiving yards per game, providing strong weapons for second year quarterback Joe Burrow.
On the positive side for San Francisco, Burrow has shown a propensity for turning the ball over. Through the first 12 game this season, Burrow has thrown interceptions in all but three and currently leads the league with 14.
In addition to interceptions for Burrow, Cincinnati’s offense has struggled to protect the quarterback. Opponents are averaging three sacks per game, fourth worst in the NFL.
The right side of Cincinnati’s offensive line has struggled this season, which could be good news for Nick Bosa. Bosa primarily has been lining up on the left side of the 49ers defense, the offenses right side, and has recorded 12 sacks on the year.
4. Can the 49ers defense stop Joe Mixon?
Although the Bengals pass offense has garnered a great deal of recognition, the performance or running back Joe Mixon may prove to be the deciding factor on Sunday.
In Cincinnati’s seven victories, Mixon has average 4.8 yards per carry, but that number drops to 3.3 yards in their five losses with Mixon averaging over 4 yards only once in those defeats.
Mixon has been dealing with an illness throughout this week and has not participated in practices. He is listed as questionable for the game.
5. Can the 49ers hold on to the football?
This may be the biggest question facing San Francisco. In their six victories this season, the 49ers have turned the ball over three times, compared to 15 times in their six losses.
Jimmy Garoppolo has been the biggest culprit with regards to turnovers. The quarterback has eight interceptions and three lost fumbles this season.
Three of the 49ers’ losses have seen Garoppolo turn the ball over at least twice.
Prediction
49ers 27 Bengals 26
Bungles 24
49ers 28