San Francisco 49ers (5-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-3): 17-31
Third defeat in a row for the 49ers. Facing the Bengals and a clinical Joe Burrow, San Francisco spent the evening chasing the score. The Niners multiplied the approximations at each decisive moment. A grain of salt has definitely stopped the machine at the start of the season.
Joe “Mr. Clean” Burrow washes the Niners
In the first period, all of Joe Burrow’s health problems (28/32, 283 yards, 3 touchdowns) seem to be history. Mobile in the pocket, Joe Cool takes advantage of double coverage on an untenable Ja’Marr Chase (10 receptions, 100 yards, 1 touchdown). As soon as he has ground in front of him, Burrow escapes: 43 yards in the race.
Once again, San Francisco’s defense is unrecognizable and fails to stop opposing offensives. On their first five drives, the Bengals scored three times (2 TDs, 1 field goal). On the other two offensives, they are a little unfortunate (a fumble 3 yards from the end zone, and a missed field goal).
San Francisco therefore remains in contact but the visual impression is that of the much superior Bengals. Joe Burrow also took advantage of the generosity of the Californian defense to beat his record for consecutive completed passes: 19!
The Niners’ offense is at half-mast
Still without their offensive line rock Trent Williams, San Francisco’s running game is once again complicated to set up. The best runner is Brock Purdy (57 yards rushing)!
The only satisfaction of the first period is the new touchdown from Christian McCaffrey (12 races, 54 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 receptions, 64 yards, 1 touchdown). 17 consecutive games with a touchdown, he equals the NFL record (tied with Lenny Moore of the Baltimore Colts in 1963).
Trailing 17-10 at the break, it is again Brock Purdy (22/31, 365 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) who must work. Like last week, the quarterback is moving up the field well, helped by good Brandon Aiyuk (109 yards) and George Kittle (149 yards). But when it came to hanging up the score, he again threw two interceptions in quick succession, then a fumble which buried the hopes of the Rouge et Or. Was the thrower in optimal condition after spending the week in concussion protocol?
For the first time this season, the 49ers leave first place in the NFC West to the rival Seahawks, winners of the Browns. It’s time to sound the alarm for a team that went from more than 35 points scored on average to 17. The Bengals, for their part, continue their comeback. They have all the cards in hand to take back the reins of the AFC North shortly.
