Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers have a long week off to reflect on a trashing by Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Looking fully healthy from a calf injury that derailed his start to the season, Burrow returned to vintage form by completing 28 of 32 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-17 win. The Bengals handed the 49ers their first home loss since falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 of the 2022 season.
Burrow and Bosa embraced on the field after the game. Via NFL Films, the star 49ers defender gave a bittersweet message to his former Ohio State teammate.
“Good to see you. Hell of a game. Made our bye week trash, though,” Bosa told Burrow. “If anybody could do it, I’d want you to.”
Friendship always prevails. 😂 (via @NFLFilms)@nbsmallerbear | @JoeyB #InsideTheNFL Tuesdays 8/7c on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/QF1dsViwW6
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
The Bengals have quickly saved a sinking ship by winning three straight games. Meanwhile, the 49ers are trending in the opposite trending.
San Francisco looked like a clear Super Bowl favorite when exclaiming a 5-0 start with a dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys. However, the 49ers have since lost three straight games.
The same pundits who called Brock Purdy the next Joe Montana or Tom Brady weeks ago now want him banished after throwing two interceptions in back-to-back games. He hadn’t relinquished a single pick through their undefeated start.
Yet the 49ers defense has also faded in recent weeks. Before Burrow sliced them open, Kirk Cousins shredded the secondary for 378 passing yards on Monday Night Football.
San Francisco has gone from the class of the league to second in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks. While the mood is sour entering the bye week, the well-timed retrieve gives Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams extra time to heal after each offensive star missed the last two games.
The 49ers will return from their break to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.