49ers vs Bengals Week 14 Predictions, Picks, and Preview: Will Joe Burrow Start for Cincinnati?

(Photo : Dylan Buell/Getty Images) CINCINNATI, OHIO - Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A blockbuster showdown will be heading our way this coming Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals square off in a critical Week 14 clash. Both teams are desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Who will prevail in the 49ers vs Bengals game?

San Francisco 49ers installed as -1.5 favorites

The San Francisco 49ers had their three-game winning streak snapped in Week 13 with a gut-wrenching 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers had no answer for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw for 231 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

It is back to the drawing board for the 49ers, who lost for the second time this season to the reeling Seahawks. They dropped to seventh place in the NFC standings because of the defeat, with the 49ers carrying an even 6-6 slate.

For the 49ers to grab the important win against the Bengals in Week 14, they will need George Kittle to deliver another spectacular performance. He was outstanding in the loss to the Seahawks, catching nine passes for 181 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

It is vital for the 49ers as well that they establish the run game against Cincinnati. The 49ers had averaged 178.3 yards rushing per game during their three-game unbeaten run but finished with just 71 yards on the ground in the loss to Seattle. Elijah Mitchell was contained in Week 13, running for just 66 yards on 22 carries.

Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 14 as +1.5 underdogs

The Cincinnati Bengals had their two-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a stinging 41-22 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bengals got off to a terrible start, with the Chargers scoring the game's first 24 points in the first half.

Cincinnati battled back strongly, scoring 22 unanswered points to cut the lead down to two. The Bengals looked like they were on their way to a famous come-from-behind win, but two turnovers doomed their rally. One of those was a 61-yard fumble return by the Chargers, resulting in a touchdown for LA.

It was a disappointing loss for the Bengals, who failed to record a three-game winning streak for the third time this season. Cincinnati could not take advantage of Baltimore's loss to Pittsburgh in Week 13 as the Bengals remained one game behind the Ravens in the AFC North standings.

To make matters worse for the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a finger injury in his throwing hand in the loss to the 49ers. He dislocated his pinky finger and was visibly in pain while throwing the football in Week 13. The offensive line did not help Burrow's cause as he was sacked six times, the first one of which caused the damage to his finger.