E-Mail
Print
Three words that were commonplace throughout western New York following the Buffalo Bills' second half collapse against the New England Patriots, in which the team was outscored 45-7 to end the game.
The good news for the Bills (and the other 14 losers from Week Four for that matter) is that the NFL moves at a very quick pace, and just a couple of days are needed before the focus must shift on the team's next opponent. For Buffalo, they hit the road and follow the Manifest Destiny out to San Francisco.
It's not an escape by any stretch of the imagination. The Bills are going up against what many believe to be the best defense in the league, and quite possibly the favorites to head to the Super Bowl in February 2013.
What are some keys when the Bills take on the 49ers Sunday?
Let's take a look at five things to watch for:
1) Physical, smash-mouth 49ers football
- When Jim Harbaugh took over in San Francisco, he established a culture of physicality and toughness that translated well to the players on his roster. Most will think of the defense and it's distinct toughness first and foremost. However, the Bills may have to be more concerned about limiting what the 49ers do on offense based on how last week went against the New England Patriots on the ground. The Bills were absolutely gashed in Week Four, allowing two separate 100-yard rushers after three weeks of solid progress toward stopping the run. While they'll have to worry about the 49ers spreading out the Bills in to a nickel package less than the Patriots did, Buffalo still has to deal with the downhill running prowess of Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and quite possibly Brandon Jacobs. It will be a big test of toughness for the Bills as they attempt to bounce back from an entirely disappointing display against Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden one week ago.
2) Establishing Spiller, Jackson against overwhelming defense
- You can't go too much farther down the list without mentioning the 49ers stout defense. Their front-seven may be the best the NFL has to offer. Defensive end Justin Smith is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and inside linebacker Patrick Willis is certainly up there in that respect as well. The supporting cast of defensive end Ray McDonald, nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman and outside linebackers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks make this a defense to be feared. The Bills may not be best served to just line it up with two tight ends and try to get Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller started that way. The 49ers haven't surrendered a rushing touchdown in their past 11 contests at home. That could qualify as the equivalent of smashing your head against a brick wall again and again. Instead, the Bills will have to do to the 49ers what the Patriots did to them in Week Four. Spread out the 49ers, get your blockers in to the second level and get the duo some room in space where they can be their most dynamic and explosive (screens, draws, misdirections, etc.). If the two running backs can't get it going early on, things could turn ugly.
3) Mistake free football
- While Ryan Fitzpatrick has 12 touchdowns on the season, he's also among the league leaders in interceptions with seven on the season. His penchant for making mistakes and putting the Bills in a difficult position has been one of the biggest reasons the Bills have played so poorly in their two losses. If the Bills want to stick in with the 49ers, Fitzpatrick and the rest of the team must limit their turnovers, because that's the exact theory San Francisco subscribes to. Alex Smith has thrown only one interception through his first four games. He threw only five interceptions all throughout 2011. If he keeps up his current pace, he'll beat his mark from last season. For the Bills to have a shot, they must show poise and patience on offense and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. If Fitzpatrick and the offense tries to force the issue, that's where teams get in to trouble against the opportunistic 49ers.
4) Vernon Davis: Matchup Nightmare
- When people think about the top tight ends in the game, they'll point to Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham first. Usually it takes a second wave of thought for Vernon Davis' name to be mentioned, but that doesn't take anything away from the type of unique talent he brings to the table. He's hidden away on the west coast, and doesn't play in the type of offense that puts up gaudy statistics like the top-of-mind tight ends. However, Vernon Davis is a freak of nature. His size, strength and speed is matched by only a few across the NFL. If he were with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he would likely be thought of as the top NFL in football. Instead, Davis is as clutch as they come when the 49ers are in need of a big catch in tight contests. If you don't have a type of specialist with elite talent to hang with Davis, he will beat his assignment at least a few times every single week. Bryan Scott and the safeties have their hands full. If he somehow gets lined up against Arthur Moats on a pass play, it could be bad news for the Bills.
5) Kaepernick Keepers
- One week ago, the 49ers really sent an alert through the NFL and the remainder of their opponents to be wary of backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick in their version of the 'Wildcat.' Kaepernick's speed, throwing power and experience in an option based attack (Nevada used the Pistol offense predominantly) give the 49ers an added dimension on offense every single week. While it can be their most explosive option on offense, it also has the potential for volatility. Kaepernick will take some chances in coverage which could lead to a turnover. It's unknown as to how much the Bills will see Kaepernick. If they do see him, it's important for the defense to stick to their assignments and not get themselves out of position.
Injuries
Buffalo:
OUT: OT Cordy Glenn, G Kraig Urbik, DT Spencer Johnson
QUESTIONABLE: WR Ruvell Martin, S Jairus Byrd, G Chad Rinehart
PROBABLE: TE Scott Chandler, WR Donald Jones
San Francisco:
QUESTIONABLE: HB Brandon Jacobs, CB Carlos Rogers, NT Isaac Sopoaga
PROBABLE: LB NaVorro Bowman, P Andy Lee
Prediction: 49ers over Bills
- The Bills don't match up with the 49ers particularly well. With the run defense being attacked as much as they were last week, San Francisco will likely follow that model in the upcoming contest. Their powerful and road-grading offensive line enables them to run the ball as efficiently as they do. That, combined with the likelihood of the 49ers defense to force turnovers on a turnover-prone Bills offense, leads me to believe San Francisco will come away victorious. Meanwhile the Bills are likely destined for a 2-3 record, and a loss to start off their most critical five-game stretch of the season.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
- When Jim Harbaugh took over in San Francisco, he established a culture of physicality and toughness that translated well to the players on his roster. Most will think of the defense and it's distinct toughness first and foremost. However, the Bills may have to be more concerned about limiting what the 49ers do on offense based on how last week went against the New England Patriots on the ground. The Bills were absolutely gashed in Week Four, allowing two separate 100-yard rushers after three weeks of solid progress toward stopping the run. While they'll have to worry about the 49ers spreading out the Bills in to a nickel package less than the Patriots did, Buffalo still has to deal with the downhill running prowess of Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and quite possibly Brandon Jacobs. It will be a big test of toughness for the Bills as they attempt to bounce back from an entirely disappointing display against Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden one week ago.
2) Establishing Spiller, Jackson against overwhelming defense
- You can't go too much farther down the list without mentioning the 49ers stout defense. Their front-seven may be the best the NFL has to offer. Defensive end Justin Smith is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and inside linebacker Patrick Willis is certainly up there in that respect as well. The supporting cast of defensive end Ray McDonald, nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman and outside linebackers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks make this a defense to be feared. The Bills may not be best served to just line it up with two tight ends and try to get Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller started that way. The 49ers haven't surrendered a rushing touchdown in their past 11 contests at home. That could qualify as the equivalent of smashing your head against a brick wall again and again. Instead, the Bills will have to do to the 49ers what the Patriots did to them in Week Four. Spread out the 49ers, get your blockers in to the second level and get the duo some room in space where they can be their most dynamic and explosive (screens, draws, misdirections, etc.). If the two running backs can't get it going early on, things could turn ugly.
3) Mistake free football
- While Ryan Fitzpatrick has 12 touchdowns on the season, he's also among the league leaders in interceptions with seven on the season. His penchant for making mistakes and putting the Bills in a difficult position has been one of the biggest reasons the Bills have played so poorly in their two losses. If the Bills want to stick in with the 49ers, Fitzpatrick and the rest of the team must limit their turnovers, because that's the exact theory San Francisco subscribes to. Alex Smith has thrown only one interception through his first four games. He threw only five interceptions all throughout 2011. If he keeps up his current pace, he'll beat his mark from last season. For the Bills to have a shot, they must show poise and patience on offense and take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. If Fitzpatrick and the offense tries to force the issue, that's where teams get in to trouble against the opportunistic 49ers.
4) Vernon Davis: Matchup Nightmare
- When people think about the top tight ends in the game, they'll point to Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham first. Usually it takes a second wave of thought for Vernon Davis' name to be mentioned, but that doesn't take anything away from the type of unique talent he brings to the table. He's hidden away on the west coast, and doesn't play in the type of offense that puts up gaudy statistics like the top-of-mind tight ends. However, Vernon Davis is a freak of nature. His size, strength and speed is matched by only a few across the NFL. If he were with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he would likely be thought of as the top NFL in football. Instead, Davis is as clutch as they come when the 49ers are in need of a big catch in tight contests. If you don't have a type of specialist with elite talent to hang with Davis, he will beat his assignment at least a few times every single week. Bryan Scott and the safeties have their hands full. If he somehow gets lined up against Arthur Moats on a pass play, it could be bad news for the Bills.
5) Kaepernick Keepers
- One week ago, the 49ers really sent an alert through the NFL and the remainder of their opponents to be wary of backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick in their version of the 'Wildcat.' Kaepernick's speed, throwing power and experience in an option based attack (Nevada used the Pistol offense predominantly) give the 49ers an added dimension on offense every single week. While it can be their most explosive option on offense, it also has the potential for volatility. Kaepernick will take some chances in coverage which could lead to a turnover. It's unknown as to how much the Bills will see Kaepernick. If they do see him, it's important for the defense to stick to their assignments and not get themselves out of position.
Injuries
Buffalo:
OUT: OT Cordy Glenn, G Kraig Urbik, DT Spencer Johnson
QUESTIONABLE: WR Ruvell Martin, S Jairus Byrd, G Chad Rinehart
PROBABLE: TE Scott Chandler, WR Donald Jones
San Francisco:
QUESTIONABLE: HB Brandon Jacobs, CB Carlos Rogers, NT Isaac Sopoaga
PROBABLE: LB NaVorro Bowman, P Andy Lee
Prediction: 49ers over Bills
- The Bills don't match up with the 49ers particularly well. With the run defense being attacked as much as they were last week, San Francisco will likely follow that model in the upcoming contest. Their powerful and road-grading offensive line enables them to run the ball as efficiently as they do. That, combined with the likelihood of the 49ers defense to force turnovers on a turnover-prone Bills offense, leads me to believe San Francisco will come away victorious. Meanwhile the Bills are likely destined for a 2-3 record, and a loss to start off their most critical five-game stretch of the season.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia