San Francisco 49ers Vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview & Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers will play their first away game of the season on Sunday, after being blessed with two home games to start 2011.

The Bengals, on the other hand, will host their first home game of the season, after a win at Cleveland and a loss last week to the Broncos.

Fans in Cincinnati will be excited for this one, as they will be getting their first home glimpse of rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green in regular season play.

Dalton has been better than expected in his first two games in the NFL. He went 10 of 15 with a TD in a limited start Week 1, and 27 of 41 for 332 yards with two touchdowns in his second game.

He has also formed a nice bond with fellow rookie Green, who had a touchdown in Week 1. Dalton found Green for 10 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown last week. Look out for WR Jerome Simpson, as well,

The 49ers' QB, Alex Smith, has performed moderately for San Francisco despite Jim Harbaugh's less-eager and conservative play-calling. Smith will look to open his arm up a bit, playing against a less than average Bengals secondary.

Frank Gore should see his carries increase in Week 3 because the Bengals have shown an inconsistent run defense so far. In Week 1, the Bengals kept Browns running back Peyton Hillis to a minimum by holding him to 57 yards on 17 carries without any touchdowns. But in Week 2, the Broncos' backup tailback Willis McGahee ran free for 101 yards and a TD.

X-Factor

If the 49ers can stop Cedric Benson, which the first two weeks of San Francisco defense front line has indicated, then they will win this game. Benson hopes to improve on a 59-yard performance against Denver in Week 2 by gashing San Francisco for big yards. However, the 49ers have allowed the fewest yards per carry (2.5 avg) and the fewest yards per game (54.5 yards/game) of any team in the NFL through two games. Running lanes should be difficult for Benson.

The 49ers need to make Dalton throw the ball and hope for a few rookie mistakes.

Predictions

Gore should see between 20 and 25 carries this week and should run for over 100 yards. Smith will continue playing a conservative game and if he can limit mistakes and avoid turnovers, this game should be the 49ers' with no problem.

Keep in mind that former 49ers Nate Clements and Taylor Mays will be in the Bengals' secondary and could be seeking a little vindication this week against their former team.

49ers win 24-17