The Cincinnati Bengals are rising, while the San Francisco 49ers are trying to keep from falling too much further. Is this enough to throw your support behind Cincinnati?
We’ll break down this matchup and give you a best bet for the matchup.
Bengals vs. 49ers Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: 49ers -5
- Moneyline: Bengals (+164), 49ers (-198)
- Over/Under: 43.5
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi’s Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Bengals vs. 49ers Prediction
There is a lot to like about the Bengals these days. Two straight wins, a .500 record for the first time all season, and coming off a bye week, facing an opponent that suddenly has questions surrounding its legitimacy as a Super Bowl contender.
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But even though the Bengals have a lot of momentum suddenly, some numbers still must be considered red flags for this team.
Cincinnati ranks last — and by a healthy margin — in total offense, averaging just 256.6 YPG. The Bengals also rank near the bottom in scoring offense — 16.7 PPG (28th). Even in their win two weeks ago over the Seahawks, Cincinnati managed just 17 points and 214 total yards.
At least quarterback Joe Burrow is getting healthy. After throwing just two touchdown passes in his first four games, Burrow has five touchdown passes over his last two games.
The other sideline is dealing with a lot of injuries these days. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) is out, while quarterback Brock Purdy is questionable with a concussion. In addition, 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams, who missed last week’s loss with an ankle injury, is considered questionable for Sunday’s game.
But even when Purdy has been on the lately, the 49ers offense has had their problems. San Francisco has scored only 34 points total over the last two games, 17 in each game, and posted its two worst outputs in total yards in two weeks. The 49ers’ 65 rush yards last week was a season-low.
The good news for 49ers games is that should Purdy be given clearance to play, they are at home, where he has excelled. Including playoffs, San Francisco is 8-0 at home in games where Purdy is the starting quarterback.
Regardless of Purdy’s status for Sunday, at least the 49ers’ defense continues to be elite. They are one of two teams — the Chiefs being the other — that have not allowed 24 points in a game. And their 11 interceptions on defense leads the NFL.
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For the season, Sam Francisco ranks top five in scoring defense (15.6 PPG allowed, 3rd), rush defense (79.3 YPG allowed, 3rd), and opponent passer rating (73.7, 3rd).
The Bengals have fared well in this spot, going 2-0-1 against the spread vs. non-conference opponents. Over the last two seasons, Cincinnati is 6-1-1 ATS vs. NFC opponents.
The 49ers, meanwhile, have been excellent in this spot as well, going 3-0 against the spread as a home favorite this season, and over the last two seasons, they are an impressive 12-1 ATS as a home favorite.
We’ve seen this slow start act before from the Bengals. Start slow, then pick up steam. Last season, Cincinnati started 2-3 before going 10-1 the rest of the regular season. This season, the Bengals lost three of four to start the season before winning their last two games.
At full strength, the debate over which team has more talent is a fair and fun one to have. But with the 49ers dealing with so many injuries, I can’t help but feel as if the better team is getting points here.
I’ll take the Bengals to at least cover and possibly win outright.
Best Bet: Bengals +5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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