On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers (4-9) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Bengals are coming off of a 33-20 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 49ers are coming off of a 24-10 defeat against the Cleveland Browns.
Following back-to-back road games, the 49ers head into their final three games of the season eliminated from playoff contention for the second season in a row. Two of those final three games are at Levi's Stadium.
#49ers inactives: WR DeAndrew White, CB Chris Davis, ILB Michael Wilhoite, OLB Aaron Lynch, OG Brandon Thomas, OG Jordan Devey, Alex Boone.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) December 20, 2015
Sunday's game will be the final non-conference matchup of the season. The 49ers have won each of the past two matchups against the Bengals as well as five straight as the home team. The two franchises met twice in the Super Bowl with the 49ers winning Super Bowl XVI, 26-21, and Super Bowl XXIII, 20-16.
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In last weekend's loss to the Browns, with two receptions for 22 yards, WR Anquan Boldin became the first player in NFL history to record 50-or-more receptions and 600-or-more receiving yards in each of his first 13 seasons and now has 51 receptions for 617 yards on the year. WR Jerome Simpson caught his first touchdown as a member of the 49ers on a six-yard pass from QB Blaine Gabbert.
This season, the #49ers have allowed just 95 points (15.8 PPG) at home, which is the fewest in the NFL. #CINvsSF pic.twitter.com/VUvmlPjLmu
— 49erswebzone (@49erswebzone) December 19, 2015
Gabbert and his offensive line didn't have a stellar outing against the Browns. While he completed 18 of his 24 asses for 194 yards and a touchdown, he was sacked nine times by a Cleveland defense that ranked last in sacks leading up to the game. The Bengals defense ranks among the league leaders with 34 sacks this season. That 49ers offensive line will be without LG Alex Boone, who suffered a sprained MCL and will likely miss the remainder of the season.
Defensively, NT Ian Williams registered his first career forced fumble as he stripped the ball away from Browns RB Glenn Winston, which was recovered by LB Ahmad Brooks. It marked Brooks' third career fumble recovery. S Eric Reid also registered his first career forced fumble on the day and S Jaquiski Tartt intercepted Manziel for the first pick of his career.
Browns Johnny Manziel not close on INT
On offense for the Browns, Manziel completed 21 of his 31 passes for 270 yards, a touchdown, and the already mentioned interception. The 49ers could not stop the run in Cleveland, which prior to the game ranked last in the league in rushing with an average of just 73.9 yards per game. They had 230 yards against the 49ers defense. Browns RB Isaiah Crowell had a career-high 145 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Entering the game, the Browns had the 31st ranked rushing defense in the NFL, allowing an average of 136.3 yards per game. The 49ers were only able to manage 71 with RB Shaun Draughn leading the team with 43 yards rushing.
Right now, the 49ers are in position to get the fifth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.
#49ers have two 5-sack performances in six home games. They have six total sacks in seven road games.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 18, 2015
The Bengals will be without starting QB Andy Dalton, who suffered a broken thumb against the Steelers. QB AJ McCarron will make his first start on Sunday. A Bengals victory or a Steelers loss would clinch a fifth consecutive playoff berth for the team. McCarron threw four passes in three NFL games before going 22 of 32 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions after replacing Dalton last weekend.
| SF W14 Top Performers | CIN W14 Top Performers |
| NT Ian Williams (+5.1) | RG Kevin Zeitler +5.7 |
| T Joe Staley (+4.8) | DT Geno Atkins +3.4 |
| DE Arik Armstead (+2.8) | DE Carlos Dunlap +3.3 |
| DE Tank Carradine (+2.6) | WR A.J. Green +2.5 |
| G Andrew Tiller (+2.2) | LB Rey Maualuga +2.5 |
Bengals WR A.J. Green caught 11 passes for 260 yards in the last two games, including a 66-yard touchdown from McCarron against the Steelers.
The Bengals defense has held their last six opponents to under 100 yards rushing and are holding opponents to an average of 17.6 points per game, which ranks second in the NFL. They will face a 49ers offense that has averaged just 14.5 points per game this season.
Kickoff: Sunday, December 20 at 1:25 PM PT
Television: The game will be televised on CBS (Check 506 Sports to see if it is local)
Bay Area Radio: KGO 810 & The Bone 107.7 (Other radio affiliates)
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860
Australian Radio: Triple M
All-Time Matchup: 49ers lead series 11-3
Last Meeting: 9/25/11, 49ers win 13-8, at Cincinnati
Current Streak: Won 2
Betting: The Bengals are 5 point favorites
NFL Fan Picks: 71% pick the Bengals to win according to Yahoo! Sports
49ers Fan Picks: Within our Pick 'em Contest, 72% believe the Bengals will win
49ers Schedule: View full schedule
Bengals News: Bengals news at Problitz.com
Follow Game Online: NFL.com's Game Center
Discuss: Niner Talk forum
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| Pos | Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | |||
| LB | Michael Wilhoite | Ankle | Out |
| CB | Tramaine Brock | Hamstring | Questionable |
| LB | Aaron Lynch | Concussion | Questionable |
| WR | Torrey Smith | Back, toe | Questionable |
| DT | Arik Armstead | Shoulder | Probable |
| WR | Anquan Boldin | Hamstring | Probable |
| LB | NaVorro Bowman | Shoulder, finger | Probable |
| LB | Ahmad Brooks | Shoulder | Probable |
| CB | Marcus Cromartie | Hip | Probable |
| DT | Quinton Dial | Shoulder | Probable |
| RB | Kendall Gaskins | Concussion | Probable |
| LB | Eli Harold | Shoulder, hamstring | Probable |
| C | Marcus Martin | Ankle | Probable |
| TE | Vance McDonald | Concussion | Probable |
| G | Erik Pears | Knee | Probable |
| NT | Mike Purcell | Shoulder | Probable |
| S | Eric Reid | Shoulder | Probable |
| WR | Jerome Simpson | Finger | Probable |
| T | Joe Staley | Knee | Probable |
| S | Jaquiski Tartt | Ankle | Probable |
| G | Andrew Tiller | Knee | Probable |
| S | Jimmie Ward | Elbow | Probable |
| Cincinnati Bengals | |||
| QB | Andy Dalton | Right thumb | Out |
| TE | Tyler Eifert | Concussion | Out |
| S | George Iloka | Groin | Out |
| C | Russell Bodine | Finger | Probable |
| LB | Vontaze Burfict | Knee | Probable |
| CB | Leon Hall | Back | Probable |
| DE | Michael Johnson | Back | Probable |
| CB | Adam Jones | Foot | Probable |
| CB | Dre Kirkpatrick | Knee | Probable |
| T | Andrew Whitworth | Knee | Probable |
| Bengals | 49ers | |
|---|---|---|
|
27.2 (4th)
|
Offense Pts
|
14.5 (32nd)
|
|
376.9 (6th)
|
Offense Yds
|
289.4 (32nd)
|
|
262.8 (9th)
|
Offense Pass
|
192.5 (30th)
|
|
114.2 (14th)
|
Offense Rush
|
96.9 (21st)
|
|
17.6 (2nd)
|
Defense Pts Allowed
|
24.2 (19th)
|
|
338.8 (10th)
|
Defense Yds Allowed
|
401.7 (30th)
|
|
242.6 (16th)
|
Defense Pass Allowed
|
268.5 (27th)
|
|
96.2 (9th)
|
Defense Rush Allowed
|
133.2 (31st)
|
Articles to be added as they become available.
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