49ers vs. Bills: Key Niners To Watch

 

 

The San Francisco 49ers (3-1) and Buffalo Bills (2-2) face off in this classic outer conference battle.

In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers will try to take advantage of the Arizona Cardinals loss to the St. Louis Rams. Before the loss, the Cardinals were 4-0.

With the Bills, they are in a three-way tie atop the AFC East. Both the New England Patriots and New York Jets are 2-2.

However, we will focus on the players in this potentially thrilling matchup. Here are a few key players to watch.

1) Colin Kaepernick (QB)

Against the Jets, we sure saw a lot of Colin Kaepernick. Most of his snaps came from the option but Jim Harbaugh may add another wrinkle to the Kaepernick package.

The Bills are ranked 27^th in total defense, and watching their Week 4 match against the Patriots, this statistic isn’t surprising.

Defensively, that high priced defensive line isn’t getting enough pressure on the quarterback. On that backend, the Bills are playing even worse.

The Bills will prepare for the Kaepernick package, as he proved to be a huge difference in the 49ers-Jets game in Week 4.

However, Jim Harbaugh and his excellent coaching staff do a great job in making adjustments.

Even though the 49ers are coming off a 34-0 win over the Jets, I still expect them to make adjustments. That’s what great teams do.

2) Frank Gore

Gore is the heart and soul of this 49ers offense. If the Bills intend to upset the 49ers, they must stop their explosive running game.

However, Frank Gore and the 49ers offense should smell blood against a downtrodden Bills run defense.

The Bills are ranked 28^th against the run, so expect the 49ers to attack this underperforming defensive line.

3) Carlos Rogers

Rogers isn’t necessarily the key, it’s more so the 49ers secondary.

He is the designated playmaker in the 49ers secondary, as evidenced by his 51-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Jets in Week 4.

Rogers should have a great game against this Bills offense.

On paper, this matchup doesn’t benefit the 49ers. The Bills are an explosive offense behind that spread attack.

Even more concerning, is their two-headed monster in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

However, the Bills have shown to be turnover prone early in the regular season. Just last week, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four interceptions Patriots secondary in Week 4.

This 49ers defense plays better at home, and I expect Rogers to capitalize on the Bills mistakes.