Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers: NFL Week 15 Pick
By Erik Lambert
Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) throws an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Browns 37-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
This isn’t the 1980s when is was Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason facing off with Joe Montana. Still, the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers is a game of definitive interest for both sides, if for different reasons. Who gets the win?
Backdrop:
For the 49ers, this game is about the future at two key positions: head coach and quarterback. For a time things were looking up for Jim Tomsula, but a terrible two-touchdown loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns has landed him on the hot seat. Same goes for quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who remains bedeviled by inconsistency.
Cincinnati is just trying to keep the train on the tracks. They’ve all but wrapped up the AFC North and need another win to hold off the surging Steelers. That job falls to backup A.J. McCarron, who takes over for the injured Andy Dalton.
Matchup To Watch:
TE Tyler Eifert vs. FS Eric Reid
One of the secrets to the success of the Bengals offense this year has been the emergence of tight end Tyler Eifert. He has 12 touchdowns this season and creates serious matchup problems in coverage. The 49ers have to find a way to counter without a linebacker or moving a corner. Their best bet is with one of their safeties, and Eric Reid is the best they have. His size and physicality should make for an interesting matchup down the middle.
Key Stat:
There is no doubt this game falls on the shoulders of A.J. McCarron. He faces a tough 49ers defense but one that has really struggled against the pass, allowing 268 yards per game. It’s a situation that invites a team to throw the football, what with targets like Eifert, A.J. Green and Marvin Jones available. What it comes down to is whether McCarron can take proper advantage or if he’s not up to the challenge.
Prediction: Bengals win 22-14
It doesn’t have to be pretty for the Cincinnati Bengals and it probably won’t be. McCarron will have a few hiccups in this game but a strong defensive effort and leaning heavily on a solid run game will help them grind out a much-needed victory on the road over a bad team.