Niner Noise
FanSided

5 weaknesses 49ers can attack vs. Bengals in Week 2

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Kyle Cook #64 of the Cincinnati Bengals blocks against the the San Fracisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Kyle Cook #64 of the Cincinnati Bengals blocks against the the San Fracisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 08: Jarran Reed #90 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for the quarterback against Bobby Hart #68 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on September 08, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 08: Jarran Reed #90 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for the quarterback against Bobby Hart #68 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on September 08, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 49ers Pressuring Bengals Offensive Tackles, Andre Smith and Bobby Hart

San Francisco should enjoy a similar context to the one it had in Week 1, as the Bengals offensive line entering 2019 was actually ranked worse by Pro Football Focus (27th) than Tampa Bay’s (24th).

Here’s PFF’s breakdown of Cincy’s up-front unit:

"The Bengals looked set at the left tackle spot after they selected Jonah Williams with the 11th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, but a torn labrum for the Alabama product means that it’s right back to the drawing board for a Bengals side that ranked 24th among teams in pass-blocking efficiency last year. … After all the offseason shuffling, the team remains steadfast in their support of Bobby Hart at right tackle, a player who hasn’t graded above 60.0 since 2015."

Andre Smith appears to be the guy replacing Williams at left tackle, while Hart is still entrenched opposite Smith on the right side.

Hart and Smith each allowed a sack on Dalton in Week 1, with a combined eight pressures allowed between them, per PFF.

The 49ers pass rush showed off what it could do a bit against the Buccaneers, picking up three sacks of its own and pressuring quarterback Jameis Winston early and often. Edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa were both game changers during that particular contest.

And if the Niners are able to stop the run, these pass-rushers should be able to pin their ears back and get to Dalton with some regularity on Sunday.