NFL Still in the hunt, 49ers make trip to Buckeye State

San Francisco trails the wild-card leaders by two games, with three to play.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Despite an 0-6 road record, the San Francisco 49ers are alive in the NFC wild-card race as Week 15 approaches.
The Niners (6-7) remained in the hunt by pummeling the Arizona Cardinals, 50-14, Sunday at 3Com Park. And they received a boost when the Dallas Cowboys (8-5) lost at Philadelphia and the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) lost at Minnesota.
With three games to play and trailing the wild-card leaders by two, the Niners' only chance hinges on them winning their final three game -- at Cincinnati on Sunday, at Philadelphia on Dec. 21 and at home against Seattle on Dec. 27.
Making the playoffs "depends on a lot of things, but foremost is that we have to win every game," 49ers coach Dennis Erickson said Tuesday. "All we can really worry about is what we do on the field."
Identity crisis
In the past two weeks, the Niners, who are owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, have been the Jekyll and Hyde of the NFL. San Francisco was blown out, 44-6, at Baltimore on Nov. 30 before rebounding with its highest-scoring game since 1994.
Erickson wishes he knew what the problem has been in their losses at St. Louis, Minnesota, Seattle, Arizona, Green Bay and Baltimore where they have been outscored 162-79.
"It's not been just one thing other than we haven't been playing well away from home," Erickson said. "Penalties have hurt, especially offsides and delay of games. We haven't been very crisp. I wish I could put my finger on why."
Back in September, Sunday's game at Paul Brown Stadium would have appeared to be the Niners' easiest away from home. The Bengals haven't had a winning season since George Bush was president.
Coach Marvin Lewis has changed all that -- the Bengals (7-6) are chasing the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) for the AFC North Division crown.
"Marvin has done a great job getting those guys to play with confidence," Erickson said. "They've bought in to what he's saying."
Injury update
Injuries have plagued the defending NFC West Division champions, especially along the offensive line.
Erickson said it's possible that his five starters -- left tackle Derrick Deese, left guard Eric Heitmann, center Jeremy Newberry, right guard Ron Stone and right tackle Scott Gragg may be able to protect quarterback Jeff Garcia and block for running back Kevan Barlow.
"Stone is the questionable one right now," Erickson said. "If he can't go because of his hamstring, then Kyle Kosier will slide over there."
Sunday's game will be a double reunion for Erickson. Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, who leads the AFC in receiving yardage (1,120) played for Erickson when they were at Oregon State.
And Bob Bratkowski, Cincinnati's offensive coordinator, served as Erickson's offensive coordinator at the University of Miami (1989-94) and the Seattle Seahawks (1995-98).
Erickson said he's not surprised that Johnson, in his third season, is excelling.
"He's got tremendous speed and great feet, so he can beat you deep," Erickson said. "I expected that he would be a good one, but I think he's gotten to that level sooner than most people thought."
As for Bratkowski, Erickson said he's impressed with the balanced offense the Bengals have been using to get seven wins.
"We talk to each other all the time," Erickson said.
But not this week.
williams@vindy.com