Bengals blew a 21-0 fourth-quarter lead 11 years ago against a Steve Young-led team.

The last time the Bengals visited Monster Park at Candlestick Point was Oct. 20, 1996 — a day that will live in infamy in Cincinnati franchise lore.  The Bengals lost to San Francisco 28-21, blowing a 21-0 lead as 49ers quarterback Steve Young passed for two touchdowns and scored on a 15-yard run with 1:08 remaining.

It was the final game for Bengals head coach David Shula, who was replaced by offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet the next day.  Willie Anderson is a 12-year veteran offensive tackle now. But he was a rookie first-round draft pick from Auburn then.  "I remember me playing left tackle and shutting down (49ers defensive end) Chris Doleman," Anderson said. "That was my first start. I was all excited about shutting him out. Then I got killed the next week by (Jacksonville's) Clyde Simmons.

"I remember Steve Young running a bootleg 25 yards with a pulled hamstring. We couldn't catch him. I remember a young Terrell Owens — we had no idea who he was — caught a touchdown bomb on us. I was really excited to see Jerry Rice. I tried to watch Jerry Rice all game."

Breaking the news:  Shula was doomed by the club's 1-6 start in '96. He finished 19-52 (.268) from 1992-96.  "Once he told us not to come in Monday or Tuesday, we kind of knew he was going to get fired," Anderson said. "I called two of my friends staying with me at the time and said, 'Let's go back (home).' I slept from San Francisco to Cincinnati, got off the plane and drove back to Auburn. I found out Dave Shula got fired on ESPN on Monday in bed."

A bitter rivalry:  The Bengals have appeared in two Super Bowls, losing both to the 49ers — 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI at Pontiac, Mich., (1981 season) and 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII at Miami (1988 season).  How well-versed is Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis on the rivalry?  "I am aware that this team lost in two Super Bowls," he said. "The last time we played against the 49ers, we won (41-38 on Dec. 14, 2003, in Cincinnati). So other than that, that's all I know."

Back to back?  Cincinnati, coming off a 19-10 victory over St. Louis, hasn't won consecutive games since ripping off four straight from Nov. 19 to Dec. 10 in 2006.  "We have to put two good games back to back," Lewis said. "We haven't done that in awhile. The focus is this week, and the next week will take care of itself."

Next up: Cleveland. 1 p.m. Dec. 23. Paul Brown Stadium.

Today's Game

Who: Bengals (5-8) at 49ers (3-10)

When: 8:15 p.m.

TV: NFL Network; WLWT-TV (NBC, Ch. 5 in Cincinnati)