Instant analysis of 49ers’ third straight loss, a 31-17 stinker vs. Bengals
SANTA CLARA – A swift three-game losing streak escorts the 49ers into their bye week, with plenty of issues to resolve after Sunday’s 31-17 home defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was their first loss at Levi’s Stadium in 12 games, dating back to Oct. 23, 2022, and they now sit second in the NFC West behind Seattle (5-2).
Three turnovers by Brock Purdy played an obvious factor, especially interceptions on back-to-back throws that put a comeback in serious doubt, even with 13 minutes remaining.
But the 49ers’ defense also was far too generous, from yielding 19 consecutive completions to Joe Burrow before halftime, to multiple missed tackles, to allowing a fourth and final Bengals touchdown with 2:54 remaining.
These 49ers (5-3) aren’t the same high-scoring machine that shredded the Dallas Cowboys 42-10 in their previous appearance in Santa Clara. This marked their third straight game scoring 17 points, and, as noted, it’s their third straight loss.
After falling at Cleveland (19-17) and Minnesota (22-17), the 49ers looked to celebrate their 12th straight home win and do so on alumni weekend in front of Joe Montana and over 100 other ex-players. Coincidentally, the 49ers’ last home loss came on last year’s alumni weekend, which the Kansas City Chiefs spoiled.
Those alumni can attest none of the 49ers’ five Super Bowl-winning seasons included a three-game losing streak.
While these 49ers obviously missed left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) for a second straight game, the 49ers’ offense has become an out-of-whack, unthreatening unit, all due respect to Purdy’s scrambling ways (57 yards) and Christian McCaffrey’s nose for the end zone (two touchdowns).
McCaffrey, in fact, tied Lenny Moore’s NFL record (1963-64 Baltimore Colts) by scoring in a 17th straight game. McCaffrey’s first touchdown Sunday came on a 2-yard run to tie the score at 7 with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
McCaffrey’s second touchdown reignited comeback hopes, as he caught a 4-yard pass from Purdy to complete a 75-yard drive and leave 8:12 on the clock.
Burrow and the Bengals (4-3) answered with their own touchdown drive. Joe Mixon (Liberty High-Brentwood) dashed 5 yards for their final score with 2:54 to go, after bouncing around right defensive end Nick Bosa, who played seemingly every snap up to that point.
The 49ers even outgained the Bengals 460-400. But the 49ers also made more errors along the way.
The game’s biggest turning point came late in the third quarter. Disaster struck when Purdy was intercepted at the Bengals’ 10-yard line. That crushing play saw McCaffrey go in motion as a lead blocker for Elijah Mitchell, and as they veered right, so did Purdy, who tried to shot-put the ball to Mitchell, only the ball didn’t make it over the 6-foot-3 Germaine Pratt, who made the interception four seconds before the end of the third quarter.
When the 49ers got the ball again, Purdy delivered another interception, this time to linebacker Logan Wilson. The Bengals quickly converted that into Burrow’s third scoring strike of the game, as he found Ja’Marr Chase (17 yards) and beat Isaiah Oliver. It was similar to Burrow’s first touchdown pass of the game: a 7-yard throw over Oliver and to Tyler Boyd.
Burrow finished 28-of-32 for 283 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Chase had 10 catches for 100 yards.
Purdy, who fumbled late in the fourth quarter, completed 22-of-31 for a career-high 365 yards. Kittle had 149 yards (nine catches) and Aiyuk produced 109 yards (five catches).
It’s a bad sign when Purdy is the 49ers’ leading rusher, but that was the case with his 57 yards on six scrambles. McCaffrey had 64 rushing yards (12 carries) and 64 receiving yards (six receptions).
NOTES
Mitch Wishnowsky bailed out the 49ers’ poor offensive start with 60- and 62-yard punts. … The 49ers allowed a 41-yard kick return to Trayveon Williams with the score tied at 7-7 to set up the Bengals’ next touchdown drive; Ray-Ray McCloud’s ensuing kick return for the 49ers reached only the 14-yard line. … The 49ers went 3-and-out on their opening possession for the first time this season, with Kyle Juszczyk stuffed on a third-and-1, fullback dive for a 1-yard loss. … Joe Montana sounding the ceremonial “foghorn” before kickoff to cap alumni weekend, which attracted over 100 players; former owner Eddie DeBartolo attended Saturday night’s alumni dinner at Levi’s Stadium but was not seen at the game.