Predicting the Final Score of the 49ers-Bengals Game

If the 49ers win this week, they'll need their defense to play much better than last week, because it was alarmingly bad against the Vikings. It generated zero sacks against known statue Kirk Cousins.

This week, the 49ers defense will face Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who's better and more mobile than Cousins. But the Vikings do a great job of protecting Cousins, while the Bengals do a terrible job of protecting Burrow. Which means the 49ers pass rush should make a large impact in this game.

Advantage: 49ers.

The Niners need this win to stop the bleeding. They're desperate. They can't lose three games in a row and call themselves legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Meanwhile, the Bengals have won two in a row and feel good about themselves.

Advantage: 49ers.

The Bengals offense goes through wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who has 556 receiving yards this season -- 9th most in the NFL. He's elite. Meanwhile, just last week the 49ers made Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison look like Justin Jefferson. Niners cornerback Charvarius Ward struggled in particular, as he dropped a potential interception that turned into a 60-yard touchdown catch right before halftime.

Advantage: Bengals.

Deebo Samuel will miss his second straight game and Trent Williams might as well. So if Brock Purdy clears the concussion protocol and starts, how well will he play? Will he perform better or worse than last week? It seems reasonable to expect him to be worse, considering his concussion, plus the fact that the Bengals have an excellent pass defense that has allowed a quarterback rating of just 79.7 this season.

Advantage: Bengals.

The 49ers need this win, but they're banged up and losing confidence. Meanwhile, the Bengals are gaining confidence, and their quarterback is better and healthier than the 49ers quarterback.

Look for Jake Moody to miss a field goal and the 49ers to lose a low-scoring game.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: 49ers 20, Bengals 23.