Ranking out the 4 most important 49ers games of 2023
By Tee Epps
No. 3 most important 49ers game: Week 8 vs. Bengals
No rest for the weary as the 49ers will be facing a young and hungry Cincinnati Bengals team just three weeks after their first test in the Cowboys.
This will be another important matchup because of the potential problems Cincinnati poses. The Bengals are full of youthful talent at most of the skill positions, and it starts with the young and dynamic quarterback, Joe Burrow.
In 2022, Burrow finished top five in passing yards for the season, touchdowns thrown and passing attempts. He also has an uncanny ability to extend plays with his legs and turn nothing into something. Once he breaks containment and begins playing "backyard ball," that's when his other young dynamic options help open the offense.
An offense that consists of a three-headed receiving monster in Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and Jamar Chase.
Since it will be the eighth game of the season by this point, newly acquired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will be heavily scrutinized for his unit's performance if they fail to resemble what they've looked like for the past few seasons.