49ers put on a clinic, dominate Bengals 41-17 in Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers absolutely dominated the Cincinnati Bengals, crushing them 41-17 in Week 2. It got to a point where the backups got game time. Niner Noise recaps the action.

The San Francisco 49ers provided something that fans haven’t seen for a very long time: a blowout, with the Niners coming out on top and demolishing the Cincinnati Bengals 41-17 in Week 2.

Apart from penalties, a major injury and a terrible decision by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners pitched a perfect game, following the perfect offensive game plan. Whenever backups get extended game time, it usually means that a team’s done something right.

The game started on the right page, with a sack by defensive tackle Arik Armstead on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and then a fumble, causing a 3-and-out. The Niners took advantage, marching down the field capped off by a Jimmy G touchdown pass to a wide-open Marquise Goodwin:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1173283161356193792

Right after this was the worst defensive drive for the 49ers. Cornerback K’Waun Williams, who did not have a great game, gave up some big plays and the eventual touchdown to tight end Tyler Eifert.

Luckily, the defense clamped up after that.

From there, the 49ers put the hurt on. The rushing attack, led by running backs Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida, took the Niners down the field, where a screen pass to Mostert led to a 39-yard touchdown:

After that came Garoppolo’s worst play of the game.

As you’ll see from the clip below, he misread the play entirely and threw up a duck to William Jackson.

Luckily, penalties and pass rush pushed the Bengals too far out, where a 52-yard field goal was missed.

The Niners took that good field position and ran with it, literally. The 49ers rushed their way down the field, capping it off with a Jeff Wilson touchdown.

The Bengals got a field goal, and the 49ers punted the ball back to them after. With the half about to end, the Bengals were threatening, down 21-10.

Then linebacker Kwon Alexander came flying in:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1173301410600902656

The Niners marched down the field and kicked a field goal to enter the half up 24-10.

From there, the 49ers just imposed their will on the Bengals. They scored two more touchdowns, off a Deebo Samuel red-zone catch and a Wilson run, kicked a field goal and had their backups play for half of the fourth quarter, where Bengals wideout John Ross got a garbage-time touchdown.

The only real negative of the game came when left tackle Joe Staley left on a cart, clearly favoring one leg. The Niners ruled it a lower-leg injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan later told reporters Staley suffered a broken fibula, likely keeping him out six to eight weeks.

The other issue was penalties, something the Niners will have to clean up when facing the very best.

But overall the Niners passed for nearly 300 yards, rushed for over 250, and allowed only 25 running yards.

They dominated.

The Niners hope to continue their winning ways against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday in the home opener.