San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players who must shine vs. Bengals in Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers hope to build off an opening win as they face the Bengals on the road in Week 2. These five players need to step up for the Niners.

Just looking at the final score from Week 1, you would probably assume that the San Francisco 49ers were one of the most impressive teams of the week. And while Kyle Shanahan’s team did look good in some areas in their 31-17 victory over the Buccaneers, the team was far from perfect in the season-opener. Now they go on the road in Week 2 to face the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the 49ers first game of the year, Jimmy Garoppolo made his return to regular-season action and wasn’t horrible but certainly wasn’t good either. That applies to the offense as a whole, as well. Instead, it was the San Francisco defense that really stepped up in a big way, notching three interceptions — two returned for touchdowns — against Tampa Bay.

While it would be difficult to expect the 49ers defense to replicate that type of effort, the unit is much improved overall and can deliver a strong outing again against a lackluster Bengals offensive line. With what happened in Week 1 in mind, though, let’s look at five San Francisco 49ers who must be big-time contributors in Week 2 on Sunday.

5. Matt Breida, RB

Given the injury to Tevin Coleman suffered last week, the running duties will likely be split between Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, though the former will take the bulk of the work. However, he was highly ineffective when on the field last week. Breida will need to step up and show that he can be an effective runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield if the Niners offense wants to remain effective.

4. DeForest Buckner, DT

Rookie Nick Bosa and new addition Dee Ford shined for the 49ers in the season-opening win. And while they were impressive in their own right, they benefitted from Tampa Bay playing DeForest Buckner a ton of attention. Now that the edge rushers have made their impact, though, Buckner should be double-teamed less. He needs to make his presence felt for San Francisco to be at their highest level of effectiveness defensively.

3. The Offensive Line

There have been times in recent years when the 49ers offensive line has been problematic. That was not the case against the Bucs in Week 1, though. Per Niners Nation, the San Francisco 49ers actually conceded the fewest numbers of pressure per dropback in the opening weekend. Now that they will be matched up against the likes of Geno Atkins, though, they need that type of performance to continue in Week 2.

2. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB

It was Ahkello Witherspoon‘s pick-six that ultimately sealed the deal for the 49ers in the season-opener against Tampa. The Colorado product was phenomenal beyond that, though, registering three passes defensed overall on the outing. San Francisco’s secondary was circled as a potential problem entering the year and Witherspoon will have the lightning-fast John Ross to match up with. But if he shows out well, that’s a great sign for the Niners.

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

As good as the 49ers looked overall, Jimmy Garoppolo was pedestrian in the Week 1 victory. The quarterback finished the outing going 18-of-27 for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

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He needs to be better than that moving forward as the defense isn’t going to contribute 14 points every week. Jimmy G is still coming back from the torn ACL that he suffered last year but at some point that will stop being an excuse. With each game, we need to see progression from the signal-caller and Cincy will provide a solid test.