Week 13: Bills vs. 49ers
at
Sunday, Nov. 30th
1:00pm ET
The Bills kept their fading playoff hopes alive with a huge offensive explosion last weekend in Kansas City. Now the 49ers come to town in the team's last game against a below .500 team this year. The Bills welcome some old friends at Nate Clements and Takeo Spikes return to Buffalo. Jonas Jennings would also return but he is hurt.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (5-5) vs. San Francisco (3-8)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
Television: FOX
Announcers: Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, and Charissa Thompson
Spread: Bills by 7
Series: Bills lead 5-4
Streak: Bills Won 1
Last Meeting: Bills 41-7 in San Francisco (2004)
49ers Offense: Rush (23rd); Pass (15th); overall (22nd)
49ers Defense: Rush (14th); Pass (29th); overall (23rd)
Bills Offense: Rush (21st); Pass (13th); overall (19th)
Bills Defense: Rush (20th); Pass (16th); overall (16th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills have three main injuries as Aaron Schobel, Jabari Greer, and Donte Whitner are currently out of the lineup. Greer has the best chance of the three to return to the lineup but he is likely another week away at least. In the win against the Chiefs Robert Royal and Teddy Lehman pulled hamstring muscles and will likely miss this game as well.

The 49ers have been without WRs Arnaz Battle and Josh Morgan because of a foot and groin injury respectively. Battle does appear ready to return this week. They are also banged up in the secondary. CBs Walt Harris (hamstring) and Allen Rossum (ankle) are questionable at best this week. FS Dashon Goldson is out with a knee injury. SS Michael Lewis may return to action though, he's been out with an abdomen injury. Former Bill Jonas Jennings is on injured reserve.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page for up to the minute updates on injured players for this week's game.

KEY MATCHUPS

WR Lee Evans vs. CB Nate Clements:
This will be the number one battle of this game as two former teammates go at it. Clements was torched last week by Terrell Owens giving him extra motivation in his return to the Ralph. Evans had a solid game last week as they will move him around to get him more involved in the offense.

DT Marcus Stroud vs. RB Frank Gore:
The Bills run defense has been torched for big plays the last two weeks so Stroud needs to step up his game and clog the middle well so the linebackers can make tackles near the line of scrimmage. Gore is the best offensive weapon the Niners have as he has 860 yards rushing on the season.

CB Terrence McGee vs. WR Isaac Bruce:
The ageless Bruce continues to be productive during the twilight of his career. He leads his team with 558 yards receiving. If McGee can keep him under wraps it makes the Niners offense one dimensional.

RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson vs. ILBs Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis:
Lynch and Jackson have been the most productive running back duo in the game as they make plays on the ground and through the air. Willis is a player many had pegged the Bills to take in the draft when they took Lynch instead. That makes there matchup intriguing as Willis is a tackling machine. Spikes will be very fired up to play against his former team as he has done a good job in San Francisco and is 2nd on the team in tackles and first in interceptions.

LT Jason Peters vs. OLB Parys Haralson:
Peters continues his subpar year. He's allowing less sacks than he did earlier in the year but keeps getting called for costly penalties. Haralson leads the Niners with four sacks.

RDE Ryan Denney vs. LT Joe Staley:
San Francisco has allowed 40 sacks this year so the Bills should be able to bring some pressure. Look for Denney to be able to get that pressure from Schobel's right end spot. Also look out for Kawika Mitchell to blitz a lot to get pressure.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills need to come up with a solid gameplan against another 3-4 defense. Edwards has been very confused by this scheme all year, so they will likely play it conservative early and try to establish a running game to force the Niners to bring another player in the box. At that time they will then be able to attack downfield.

When The 49ers Have The Ball: With the weather turning colder in Buffalo look for the Niners to attack the Bills on the ground. Team's have had success the last two weeks in getting big plays on the ground.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills should have their confidence back after last week's solid effort. They return home to face the Niners in a cold weather game which bodes well for Buffalo. Key stat of the week: No West coast team has won a game this year on the East coast. That includes Bills home wins over San Diego, Oakland, and Seattle. Look for the Bills to make it a four game sweep against West coast teams at home:
Bills 30, 49ers 13

Season Prediction Record: (7-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (8-3)

Complete Gameday Review - Coming Sunday Evening!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Evening!
Gameday Homepage