Why to watch
Coach Jim Harbaugh, already being second-guessed in San Francisco for some controversial decisions, goes on the road for the first time. Can the 49ers find a way to get something out of their receivers, with several nicked up? How long before the calls for Alex Smith's job begin anew? And has anyone in the NFL had an easier opening schedule than the Bengals, getting Cleveland, Denver and San Francisco -- all with new head coaches?
Inside story
Prior to making a trade to move up and get quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second round, the 49ers were working hard on a move to the end of the first round for Andy Dalton, but could not pull it off. They knew the Bengals would take Dalton at the top of the second round. Dalton threw for 300 yards last week and Kaepernick's time could come this season.
