The 49ers had their best game of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure in Cincinnati in a convincing 41-17 victory.
There was a lot to take away from this one, so here’s what we’ve got:
Road warriors
The 49ers didn’t win a road game all of last season. They opened 2019 with back-to-back road wins in Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. San Francisco hasn’t opened 2-0 since 2012, and they haven’t won back-to-back road games to open a season since 1989. The schedule doesn’t get easier, so winning these two games to start the year was imperative, and the 49ers won the two games by a combined 38 points.
Play action works
The 49ers didn’t use a ton of play action in Week 1, but they went there early Sunday. Jimmy Garoppolo’s first throw of the game was an easy completion on third-and-2 to fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a first down off play action. Then they came back with another play action throw to a wide open Marquise Goodwin. Play action works, and it’s something the 49ers have to do even more of with Garoppolo still knocking the rust off after his injury.
Raheem Mostert is good
Mostert is having a really good string of games dating back to last year. He’s such an explosive runner that it could wind up in a touchdown every time he gets the ball in space. He ran hard early Sunday, then took a screen pass 39-yards for a touchdown. It was such an impressive play because he simply blew past several Bengals defenders.
Jimmy Garoppolo has stellar game
Garoppolo struggled in the season opener, but answered with a tremendous game Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati. He finished 17-of-25 for 297 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. That’s good for a sterling 131.2 passer rating – by far his best rating in a start in red and gold. The 49ers will make the playoffs if he continues that level of efficiency. Now he needs to string together a few games like that in row.
Garoppolo wasn’t perfect though
The 49ers’ quarterback had the rare QB false start because he called for the snap and pulled back like it was coming, but nobody else on the offense moved. Forgetting the snap count is pretty inexcusable for the quarterback. He followed that up with an ill-advised throw to Richie James in between five Bengals defenders. It was easily intercepted by Bengals CB William Jackson. That’s not the end of the world, but Garoppolo’s penchant for bad decisions down the field is concerning.
Ahkello Witherspoon is different
The 49ers built their defense around the growth of cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. He’s answered the call through two weeks with two of the best games of his career. He nearly had another pick-6, but dropped it, and had tight coverage on numerous occasions against a bevy of Bengals receivers. If he’s good, the 49ers have a playoff caliber defense.
Kwon Alexander sets the tone for 49ers defense
It’s clear the 49ers defense is different when Alexander is on the field. Not only is he a very good individual player who’s around the ball all the time and making plays, but there seems to be a different level of confidence the entire team has when he’s flying around. There are a ton of talented players on the 49ers’ defense, but Alexander might’ve been the most impactful Sunday in Cincinnati. He’ll be more than worth his contract if he continues to have this type of effect on the defense.
49ers offensive line dominates
The 49ers offense had their way Sunday thanks to a very strong showing from their offensive line. They slowed down a ferocious Bengals pass rush, and paved the way for a huge day on the ground. Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t get sacked and was hit only twice. In the run game, San Francisco ran for 261 yards and averaged over 6.7 yards per carry thanks to a sensational showing from that front.
Oh hey, Deebo
The rookie receiver had a terrific second game Sunday. He hauled in five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, and flashed the versatility that made him the No. 36 overall pick. He made plays down the field, on handoffs, and on screens. Garoppolo even threw him a jump ball late in the first half. Samuel is on a trajectory to be a very good playmaker for the 49ers in his first season.
