MINNEAPOLIS – Brock Purdy digested the 49ers' second straight defeat in the same humble fashion he assessed the preceding 10 regular-season wins.
"For me, second one in a row hurts obviously," Purdy said after Monday night's 22-17 loss to the Vikings. "We've just got to be better. Got a big one ahead this week, too."
Yes, they're all big. But this Sunday's game could have been – and still could be – a Super Bowl preview.
The 49ers (5-2) look to rebound from back-to-back road losses when they play host Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals (3-3).
The Bengals are coming off their bye, as was the case with the Cleveland Browns when they ended the 49ers' undefeated start with a 19-17 upset. Over the past two seasons, the Bengals used their byes as a launch point, winning 12 of 15 games afterward on their way to the playoffs.
TOP 5 STORYLINES
1. Home sweet home
The 49ers have won their last 11 home games, including a pair in January's playoffs and this season's three-game homestand, which they swept by outscoring the New York Giants, the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys 107-38.
2. McCaffrey's TD streak
Christian McCaffrey stewed over his first-quarter fumble Monday, even though he rebounded to score both of the 49ers' touchdowns, all while playing through a painful oblique injury. Is there any sense of appreciation for his 16-game scoring streak? If he scores Sunday, he will tie Lenny Moore's NFL record (1963-65 Baltimore Colts).
3. No ordinary Joe
The 49ers' high-priced pass rush could not stop career backup P.J. Walker or notorious prime-time struggler Kirk Cousins. Next comes Joe Burrow, one of Nick Bosa's best friends. A calf injury in camp has hindered Burrow, whose 79.8 passer rating ranks 27th. He's been sacked 14 times. His go-to guy: Ja'Marr Chase (50 catches, 556 yards, three touchdowns).
4. Coaching questions
Steve Wilks' defense is underachieving in his first year as coordinator. Blitzes are backfiring, tackles are being missed, and opponents are finding too much "leaky yardage," as Fred Warner phrased it. What must head coach Kyle Shanahan do to avoid a three-game losing streak?
5. Health updates
Did the 49ers just miss wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) more than left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), as they watched receivers struggle to find the open field? Samuel will miss this game, and perhaps the 49ers keep Williams sidelined to freshen up through the Week 9 bye. The only injuries Shanahan noted after Monday's loss were to linebackers Warner (thigh) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle).
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SERIES HISTORY
The 49ers have won 13 of 17 meetings, including Super Bowl wins in the 1981 and '88 seasons. The Bengals won their only previous visit to Levi's Stadium, 24-14 in December 2015, but they lost at home to the 49ers in 2019 (41-17) and 2021 (26-23, overtime).
LAST MEETING
The 49ers were 6-6 when they went into Cincinnati in December 2021 and emerged with a 26-23 overtime win to spark their stretch run into the playoffs. Brandon Aiyuk dove at the pylon for a walk-off 12-yard touchdown catch after the Bengals settled for a field goal to open overtime. The 49ers could have won in regulation but Robbie Gould missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds. Burrow and Chase connected for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to erase the 49ers' 20-6 lead.
OTHER JOE'S HOMECOMING
Bengals running back Joe Mixon, an Oakley native and Freedom High product, will play at Levi's Stadium for the first time in his seven-year career. He's yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this season, and the 49ers have not allowed a 100-yard back in their past 34 games, the NFL's longest active streak.
DEFENSIVE THREATS
Trey Hendrickson has a team-high seven sacks, B.J. Hill has 11 quarterback hits, and Sam Hubbard, Bosa's other good friend on the Bengals, has three sacks and 10 hits. Logan Wilson and Dax Hill share the team lead with 46 tackles and two interceptions.
WEATHER
Mostly sunny, high of 71 degrees, winds 5-10 mph, 1% chance of rain, per weather.com
BETTING LINE
The 49ers are 5 ½-point favorites and the over/under is 45 ½ points, according to VegasInsider.com.
Prediction: 49ers 23, Bengals 17
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