49ers run wild in 41-17 thrashing over the Bengals

Tough to script a better start for the 49ers defense. Arik Armstead sacked Andy Dalton on the first play from scrimmage. Dalton fumbled on the next play, and the defense forced a three-and-out giving the offense a short field to start the game. Kyle Shanahan dialed up his “leak” concept, where he sneaks Marquise Goodwin out to the other side of the formation, and it was a beauty:

The Bengals ran a wheel route for a 47-yard gain on the next possession to put them in scoring position, and a Tyler Eifert touchdown tied the game 7-7.

The 49ers offense answered with another score, after an 8-play, 84-yard drive that was capped off with a 39-yard catch and run by Raheem Mostert for a touchdown. That put the 49ers up 14-7.

The defense got the ball back, but Jimmy Garoppolo threw a poor interception into what looked like double coverage. The Bengals took over on the 49ers 27-yard line, but penalties and a missed field goal left the score at 14-7. That was a big stop for the defense. I think we’d all agree that last season that is a touchdown after a turnover like that.

Matt Breida danced is way past the Bengals defense, and Jeff Wilson punched it in from short to give the 49ers the lead 21-7. A Bengals score made it 21-10. The offense could have had another touchdown in the second quarter, but it was called back after a hold by two offensive linemen.

Kwon Alexander had a massive interception before the first half. He had gotten in the throwing lane a couple of times. What a huge addition. That gave the 49ers the ball back with just under two minutes to play in the half. The Niners drove and Robbie Gould connected on a 33-yard field goal to make it 24-10, good guys.

The offense continued to roll out of the half, as Deebo Samuel scored his first career touchdown, 31-10. A 38-yard field goal from Gould made it 34-10.

This may have been the most complete game from the Niners in some time. The defensive line was getting after Dalton all game. Shanahan emptied his bag of tricks, and the Bengals didn’t have an answer. For context of how dominant the offense was today when they took over before garbage time with three minutes to go in the third quarter, the 49ers were averaging 9.3 yards per play. The skill players will get plenty of credit, and deservedly so, but the offensive line gave Garoppolo plenty of time to throw, and the backs significant running lanes.

After three quarters, the 49ers had 517 yards of offense. A Jeff Wilson touchdown made it 41-10. Garoppolo finished the day 17-25, for 297 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Breida finished with 12 carries for 121 yards, and Raheem Mostert had 83 yards himself. The only concern was Joe Staley leaving the game with an injury. That’s the one position the team cannot afford to lose. The Bengals scored a touchdown in garbage time to make it 41-17.

A dominant victory by the 49ers today. This is what John Lynch envisioned the team to look like when he put them together. What a game.