San Francisco 49ers (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)
Time/Date: 1:00 PM EST, September 25, 2011
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
Broadcast: FOX
49ers vs. Bengals Gambling Odds from 5Dimes
Spread: Bengals -2.5
Moneyline: Bengals (-145) 49ers (+125)
Over/Under: 40.5
Jim Harbaugh was the biggest coaching name to join the NFL this year. Harbaugh will take his San Francisco 49ers on the road for the first time this year to face Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday. Neither team is expected to be very good this year, but both have quite a bit of young talent. Which team will come out on top this Sunday?
Alex Smith was the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. It’s pretty amazing that he is still with the Niners given that he has underperformed for so long, but it seems Jim Harbaugh has faith in him. Smith has had underwhelming numbers in the team’s first two games, but he has done a solid job of taking care of the football. Frank Gore missed a lot of time last year with an injury, and he has started the season slowly in 2011. Gore is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry through the first two games. Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the 49ers week one win, and the team will likely try to get the ball in his hands more often this week. Braylon Edwards is listed as doubtful and Michael Crabtree as questionable for this game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The 49ers defense is currently ranked first in the NFL against the run. Ray McDonald does a great job plugging the gap in the middle. Patrick Willis is one of the best linebackers in the league. The secondary is a bit of a question mark, and the 49ers will likely miss Nate Clements, who now plays for the Bengals.
Andy Dalton has been very good in his first two NFL starts. The rookie has thrown three touchdowns and no interceptions in the first two games of the season. The Bengals are really counting on Dalton being a solid quarterback for many years to come, and fans have to be encouraged by his early success. Cedric Benson is averaging 4.4 yards per carry in the Bengals first two games. A big key to the Bengals offensive success or failure this year will be the running game.
Cincinnati is really counting on the defense to lead the way this year. The Bengals have a very talented group of linebackers as well as some impressive talent at the cornerback spots. Nate Clements is now a Bengal, and Leon Hall is one of the better corners in the league. This defense was mediocre last year, but if the Bengals want to be competitive this year the defense will have to rise toward the top of the NFL.
The Bengals and 49ers are not very good at this point, and both defenses are ahead of the offenses. I think both teams will stop the run well and keep this one low scoring.
Free NFL Pick: 49ers/Bengals under 40.5
