Four reasons the Cincinnati Bengals will start the 2019 season 2-2

Week 2 is when the Bengals get in the win column. To be more direct, Week 2 is when they absolutely have to get in the win column.

The San Francisco 49ers have a tough September where they only play three games before an early bye week. They will open on the East Coast against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then travel to Cincinnati for Week 2, then get their home opener against the Steelers.

Fun, huh?

The Niners will be looking forward to the long-awaited return of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo, whom most agree the jury is still out on as a starting QB, will get a September test that won’t be easy. It’s this game that is an early-season must-win for the Bengals.

Cincinnati was a pedestrian 4-4 at home last season. Week 2 will feature a 49ers team who will be a question mark in a third season under Kyle Shanahan. Garoppolo is probably the biggest question mark of them all, as San Francisco looks to rebound from an underwhelming 2018.

In his home debut, Taylor will have a potential home win in the crosshairs. They will be getting a Niners team who will have been very cautious with an injured quarterback still trying to find a regular-season rhythm.

It won’t happen Week 2 in Cincinnati. Look for the Bengals to even things out and score their first win of the Zac Taylor era.