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Week 6: Bills vs. 49ers
 at 
Sunday, Oct. 16th
1:00pm ET
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The Bills head back home on a three game winning streak including back to back road wins. The circus is coming to town as Colin Kapernick will be at quarterback for the 49ers as the National media will converge on Western New York but not for any on the field reasons. The Niners are struggling but may get a lift from the QB change as the Bills need to avoid the letdown.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (3-2) vs. San Francisco (1-4) |
| Place: |
New Era Field |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: FOX; DirecTV: 710; Sirius: 81; XM 225 |
| Announcers: |
Dick Stockton and David Diehl |
| Spread: |
Bills by 7½ |
| Series: |
49ers lead 6-5 |
| Streak: |
49ers Won 2 |
| Last Meeting: |
49ers 45-3 in San Francisco (2012) |
| 49ers Offense: |
Rush (8th); Pass (31st); overall (31st) |
| 49ers Defense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (10th); overall (20th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (3rd); Pass (32nd); overall (28th) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (17th); overall (15th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills may be without Marcell Dareus once again as he is battling a hamstring injury. OT Cyrus Kouandjio remains sidelined with an ankle injury as well. Patrick Lewis and Corey White are trying to work their way back from knee and shoulder injuries respectively.
The 49ers are without two of their linebackers as Novarro Bowman and Ray-Ray Armstrong are on injured reserve. CB Jimmie Ward has missed practice time this week with a quad injury.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
RB LeSean McCoy vs. SS Antoine Bethea:
McCoy has been on fire since Anthony Lynn took over as the offensive coordinator. He will be looking for a big game against his former coach Chip Kelly. With the injuries the Niners have at linebacker Bethea is the leading tackler and run stopper from the strong safety spot.
QB Tyrod Taylor vs. QB Colin Kapernick:
Taylor has struggled in the passing game this year and Kapernick isn't known as a premier passer. Both players are known for making something happen with their legs. Taylor needs to be the best QB on the field for the Bills to get the win they should get.
LB Zach Brown vs. RB Carlos Hyde:
Brown leads the league in tackles and Hyde is the best offensive weapon the 49ers have. If Brown and his "brother" Preston can control the ground game that will help the Bills defense shutdown what isn't a high powered offensive attack.
LB Lorenzo Alexander vs. LT Joe Staley:
Alexander is the surprise league leader in sacks with 7. Staley is a solid 10 year veteran who may have what it takes to cool down the very hot journeyman.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Contain Kapernick: The 49ers have the best running game in the league from the QB spot and Kapernick is a much better runner than Blaine Gabbert. The Bills need to contain him in the pocket and force him to try and beat them with his arm instead of his legs.
2. Minimize Mental Errors: The Bills could have beaten the Rams more easily last week if it wasn't for several mental miscues. If they can keep those errors down they should be able to win the game.
3. Avoid The Letdown: The Bills have won three straight and face one of the worst teams in the league. The team is in an unusual position to have to avoid a letdown and an upset loss. If they struggle to maintain focus and don't win the game, all the momentum they have gained over the past three weeks will be gone.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
On paper the Bills are a far superior team so should win this game easily. The issue is how much of a spark the 49ers get with the QB change to Kapernick and if the Bills can avoid a letdown. Kapernick could be rusty since he has never played in this offense. That should be enough to give the Bills the win but I have a feeling it will be closer than people think:
Bills 17, 49ers 13
Season Prediction Record: (4-1)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-1)
Bills Blitz - Coming Sunday Night!
Gameday Grades - No grades this week. They will return next week!
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