Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron. (Photo : Getty Images)
AFC North leaders Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) will try to redeem themselves from a crucial loss last week as they meet the hard-luck San Francisco 49ers (4-9), who are already eliminated from playoff contention, at the Levi's Stadium on Sunday.
The Bengals surrendered a 33-20 game to division rival Pittsburgh Steelers at their own Paul Brown Stadium last Sunday, as per ESPN.
However, what is worse is that they also lost starting quarterback Andy Dalton, who broke his thumb while tackling the Steelers' Stephon Tuitt after an interception during the team's opening drive.
Dalton's hand reportedly does not need surgery to heal and if the team gets through this game against the Niners, then he will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
San Francisco was blasted by the Cleveland Browns, 24-10, last Sunday at the FirstEnergy Stadium to drop their ninth game of the season en route to playoff elimination, via Fansided.
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was sacked nine times in the match alone as the team features probably the weakest offensive line in the league right now.
Cincinnati is expected to pull off the victory by a wide margin this week against hapless San Francisco.
Prediction: Bengals win, 35-17.
Cincinnati Bengals starting lineup
Offense: McCarron (QB), Hill (RB), Hewitt (FB), Green (WR1), Jones (WR2), Kroft (TE), Whitworth (LT), Boling (LG), Bodine (C), Zeitler (RG), Smith (RT)
Defense: Dunlap (DE), Peko (DT), Atkins (DT), Johnson (DE), Lamur (OLB), Maualuga (MLB), Rey (OLB), Kirkpatrick (CB1), Shaw (CB2), Iloka (SS), Nelson (FS)
San Francisco 49ers starting lineup
Offense: Gabbert (QB), Draughn (RB), Miller (FB), Boldin (WR1), Smith (WR2), Bell (TE), Staley (LT), Boone (LG), Martin (C), Tiller (RG), Pears (RT)
Defense: Armstead (DE), Williams (NT), Dial (DE), Lemonier (OLB), Bowman (ILB), Hodges (ILB), Brooks (OLB), Brock (CB1), Acker (CB2), Tartt (SS), Reid (FS)
