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The Bills are coming off their most heartbreaking loss of a very long season last week. The fourth quarter meltdown against Miami may have deflated the remaining life out of these Bills. It will be difficult to get up for this week's game with the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are a surprising 8-2 and tied atop the NFC West standing. They can ill afford a letdown and major upset loss to the lowly Bills.
Facts and Figures
| Matchup: | Buffalo (1-9) at San Francisco (8-2) |
| Date: | Sunday December 2nd |
| Place: | 3Com Park |
| Time: | 8:30pm |
| Television: | ESPN |
| Announcers: | Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, and Paul Maguire |
| Spread: | Niners by 9 |
| Series: | Bills Lead 4-3 |
| Last Meeting: | Bills 26-21 in Buffalo in 1998 |
| 49ers Offense: | Rush (2nd); Pass (5th); overall (3rd) |
| 49ers Defense: | Rush (11th); Pass (27th); overall (24th) |
| Bills Offense: | Rush (22nd); Pass (13th); overall (11th) |
| Bills Defense: | Rush (26th); Pass (9th); overall (15th) |
Injury Update
The Bills are at the healthiest point they have been all season especially on the offensive line. Jonas Jennings is likely to return this week as he is practicing on his injured foot. He will likely re-claim his starting left tackle spot from John Fina. The Bills suffered no more injuries of note last week against Miami and all the other banged up players returned to action last week.
The 49ers suffered a blow last week when RB Kevan Barlow was injured, he is doubtful this week.
For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page.
Key Matchups
CB Nate Clements vs. WR Terrell Owens: Owens is one of the best in the game and Clements struggled last week with Oronde Gadsden. He needs to play much better this week to just contain Owens.
LB Brandon Spoon vs. RB Garrison Hearst: Hearst has to carry a heavy load this week with Barlow probably out. Spoon will be the main guy trying to stop him.
DT Pat Williams vs. C Jeremy Newberry: Williams is having an all-pro season and he will need to continue that play and get pressure on Newberry who is an above average center.
WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Jason Webster: Moulds would like to build on his best performance of the year last week. The Bills will try to get him matched up against the second year cornerback Webster. This is a good matchup for the Bills to exploit. Moulds will need another big day for the Bills to have a chance.
Bills Special Teams vs. Niners Special Teams: Former Bills special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is the 49ers special teams coach and they have performed average. Former Bills have come back to haunt the team all year and DeHaven would like nothing better than to have his special teams make big plays this week. The Bills will get a look at their new kicker Shayne Graham this week. He can't be any worse than Jake Arians who was cut this week.
Game Plan
When The Bills Have The Ball: The offense will try to build on last week's success. Expect them to look pass first and run second. Expect Alex Van Pelt to try to move the ball with quick passes and then mix it up with runs from Travis Henry. We would like to see the Bills mix in Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris more in the passing and running game to keep the Niners defense off balance.
When The 49ers Have The Ball: The Bills offense should watch this group in action to see how the West Coast Offense is suppose to work. With Barlow likely out, look for the Niners to rely on the passing game more led by Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens. They will also try to establish Garrison Hearst but it is unsure if he can carry a heavy load anymore.
Bills Daily Prediction
The 49ers have a division title to battle for and they won't be caught napping against a bewildered Bills team that may have had their wind knocked out of their sails last week: 49ers 34, Bills 13
Season Prediction Record: (5-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (5-5)
Complete Statistical MatchupGame Analysis and Review - Coming Monday Morning!Positional Breakdown and Grades - Coming Monday Morning!
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