Sunday Night Football showcases an exciting clash between the San Francisco 49ers (5-6) and the Buffalo Bills (9-2). The last time these teams faced off was in 2020, where the Bills emerged victorious by ten points. The 49ers experienced a tough defeat last week in Green Bay, losing 38-10 as 6.5-point underdogs. Meanwhile, the Bills enjoyed a bye week after defeating the Chiefs 31-20 the week prior, where they were 2.5-point favorites at home. Currently, the Bills are favored by 7 points in this matchup. The game is set to kick off at 8:20 PM EST at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park and will air on NBC.
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Which team will triumph in this prime-time showdown? Read on for the 49ers vs. Bills prediction.
49ers Struggling for Momentum
The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in a challenging position, currently at the bottom of the NFC West standings. However, they still have a chance to improve, as both the Rams and Seahawks hold 6-5 records, while the Cardinals and 49ers sit at 5-6. San Francisco has lost their last two matchups—their most recent defeat was at home against the Seahawks, followed by the blowout loss to the Packers. In the game against Green Bay, backup quarterback Brandon Allen threw for 199 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed frustration with his team’s performance, stating, “I thought we had way too many missed tackles. Just them being able to control that clock the first half was one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of as far as a half.” Starting quarterback Brock Purdy is questionable after missing the Green Bay game due to a shoulder injury. If Purdy is unable to play, Allen will likely start again. Christian McCaffrey has struggled this season, participating in only three games and accumulating just 149 yards, with his highest performance being 79 yards against Seattle. Jordan Mason is expected to take on more carries, having posted 711 yards and three touchdowns this season. Tight end George Kittle leads the team in receptions with 49 catches for 642 yards and eight touchdowns.
San Francisco ranks 13th in the league for scoring, averaging 23.6 points per game, while their defense sits at 21st, also allowing an average of 23.6 points. Linebacker Fred Warner leads the team in tackles with 84 and has contributed two interceptions. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has also recorded two interceptions but is listed as questionable for this matchup. Defensive end Nick Bosa’s status is uncertain as well, leaving Leonard Floyd as the team’s sack leader with 6.5 of their 28 total sacks this season.
Injury Report:
Questionable: QB Brock Purdy, WR Chris Conley, T Trent Williams, DE Nick Bosa, DT Kevin Givens, CB Deommodore Lenoir.
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Bills Riding a Winning Streak
The Buffalo Bills are currently riding a six-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance in the division with a four-game lead over the second-place Dolphins. The Bills have lost only two games this season, both on the road against the Ravens and Texans. At home, they boast a perfect 5-0 record and are prepared to face a desperate 49ers team looking for redemption after dropping to fourth in the NFC West. In their latest game, the Bills secured a victory over the Chiefs, with Josh Allen throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown.
Allen’s electrifying 26-yard touchdown run sealed the win against Kansas City, prompting receiver Khalil Shakir to comment, “When Josh takes off, I find myself just watching, like, ‘Wow, he’s different. When he took off today, I just started yelling. I couldn’t stop yelling. I was blanking in the head.” Allen is once again in the conversation for the MVP award, having thrown for 2,543 yards this season with a 64.0% completion rate and an impressive 18-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also ranks second on the team for rushing with 316 yards and five rushing touchdowns. James Cook leads the Bills’ backfield with 596 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and reaching the end zone ten times. Khalil Shakir has emerged as the primary receiving target, with 56 catches for 599 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bills are currently third in the NFL in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game, while their defense ranks seventh, allowing an average of 19.5 points. Linebacker Dorian Williams is the team’s leading tackler, with 97 tackles, significantly outpacing his teammates. The Bills have recorded 27 sacks this season, led by edge rusher Greg Rousseau with 5.5. They have also made 13 interceptions this year, with six players contributing two each, including safety Damar Hamlin.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Keon Coleman, TE Dalton Kincaid.
Best Bets for San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills
