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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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Use Marquise Goodwin to Attack Bengals Secondary

Seahawks rookie wide receiver D.K. Metcalf gave the Bengals secondary all kinds of problems in Week 1, picking up 89 yards, including an impressive 42-yard scamper.

Another speedy Seahawks wideout, Tyler Lockett, also proved to be the difference maker with a 44-yard touchdown grab over the middle.

Notice a trend? Cincinnati is already showing signs of having trouble dealing with faster receivers down the middle of the field.

Pro Football Focus was much kinder towards the Bengals defensive backfield entering 2019 than it was the Buccaneers, ranking the former 13th overall entering the season, compared to Tampa Bay’s last-place placement. But cornerback William Jackson and safety Jessie Bates’ play in Week 1 hardly justified the rankings, and both were responsible for some chunk plays in Seattle.

One of the 49ers’ top chunk-play players is wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who had just one catch for seven yards in Week 1.

Few players on San Francisco’s roster stretch the field as well as Goodwin. But they key is for the Niners to find situations where plays can develop, putting players like Goodwin in positions to gain separation and get open.

And those typically start in the run game.