49ers grades in deflating Week 8 loss to Bengals

SANTA CLARA — You name it, the 49ers could have done it better Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Quarterback Brock Purdy turned the ball over three times. The defense did not rush the passer consistently, did not tackle well and did not exactly play sticky coverage. The result was unsurprising: Another loss. The 49ers dropped their third consecutive game, falling 31-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are the best team the 49ers have faced in their three-game skid after losses at Cleveland and Minnesota. Still, it was sloppy and uninspiring. Here are the grades as they head into the bye week with a bad taste in their mouths: Rushing offense Christian McCaffrey extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown to 17, which ties Lenny Moore (Baltimore, 1963-64) for the NFL record. The 49ers did OK on the ground, but fullback Kyle Juszczyk was stopped on a third-and-1 play in the first quarter to end the team's first possession. The 49ers need to create more space in the running game. McCaffrey ended up with 54 yards on 12 carries. Purdy was the team's leading rusher, but all of his rushing attempts were on scrambles. He had 57 yards on six carries. Grade: C-minus Passing...