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The Cincinnati Bengals faceoff against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium this Sunday. The 49ers have lost their previous 2 games, to the Browns in week 6 and the Vikings in week 7. Injuries are creeping up on this team, with Deebo Samuel out with a shoulder injury, Trent Williams out with an ankle injury, and many more. Even Christian McCaffrey played through an oblique tear against the Vikings (Ouch). This team is banged up and would love nothing more than to head into their bye week with a win against the Bengals. 

The Bengals started off the season poorly, especially on offense. Joe Burrow was dealing with a calf injury that significantly limited him and the offense overall. The Bengals have proven they are capable of winning a defensive battle. In week 7 they beat the Seahawks 17-13 by forcing 2 Geno Smith interceptions. Against bad defenses the Bengals have proven capable of putting points on the board. This was on display against the Cardinals, with an impressive 34-20 victory.

The Bengals will be up against a dominant 49ers defense, a true test to Burrow and the Bengals’ offense. Will the 49ers offense return to form? Read my prediction, pick, and odds below.

Bengals vs. 49ers Date, Start Time, And Where To Watch

Date: Sunday, October 29, 2023

Start Time: 4:25 pm ET

Where to Watch: CBS

Bengals vs. 49ers Odds

Moneyline: Bengals +190, 49ers -230

Spread: Bengals +5.5, 49ers -5.5

O/U: 46.5

Bengals vs. 49ers Prediction

The Bengals have the 32nd ranked offense, averaging 256 yards per game. The defense has been inconsistent, they rank 27th, allowing an average of 356 yards per game. The Bengals have been blown out twice, week 1 against the Browns and week 6 against the Titans. The rest of the games were much closer and the defense was able to hold opponents to around 20 points. Joe Burrow averages 205 passing yards per game, not good and has been the limiting factor in the Bengals’ success. Overall, this team is still trying to find its identity and return form from last season. 

The 49ers weeks 1-5 were dominant and looked like a juggernaut. Weeks 6 and 7 have them crashing back down to Earth. The difference is the offense, weeks 1-5 the 49ers were unstoppable on offense and Brock Purdy was minimizing mistakes. In weeks 6 & 7 the 49ers only scored 17 points each game. The defense was still doing enough to win the game, holding the Browns to 19 points and the VIkings to 22 points, the offense was struggling and could not keep up. The 49ers will be without Deebo Samuel again this week as well as Trent Williams. They should still have enough firepower with Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk to put up points though. On that note.

Will Brock Purdy show up in this game? Against the Browns Purdy threw for 125 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Against the Vikings, Purdy threw for 272 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Purdy up until weeks 6 & 7 had not thrown an interception, now he has 3. Purdy’s performance is trending down, and if this continues the 49ers may be in trouble.

The 49ers defense will keep them in this game, but the defense will need to be more clutch, especially in late game scenarios. The Bengals are capable of the upset, I have learned to never bet against Burrow. I do believe the 49ers will win, but I predict the game will be closer than the spread indicates. My bet is Bengals +5.5.

Bengals vs. 49ers Best Bet

Bengals +5.5  (-110 @ Draftkings)