The Buffalo Bills play the San Francisco 49ers at home in Week 13 at Highmark Stadium on “Sunday Night Football.”
The Bills (9-2) are looking to extend their six-game winning streak, while the 49ers (5-6) have lost their last two games.
Buffalo holds a seven-point lead to win on Sunday night. The two teams haven't met since 2020, when the Bills won 34-24 on the road.
Even though the Bills are favored and the Niners have struggled lately, they were still NFC champions last year for a reason and they are a well-rounded team, even if the wins aren't consistent.
The Bills must execute their game plan to get their tenth win of the year.
So here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 13:
Let the stone run
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The 49ers have very few holes on their team, but if there is one area they need to improve, it is their run defense. They rank 21st in the NFL .
The Bills are at their best when they have a balanced attack on offense, and I expect James Cook and Co. to get a lot of work. Last week, the Bills dominated the Chiefs in time of possession with quick passes and third-down conversions. This week they should aim for the same thing, but with more of a “pound the rock” approach.
Limit explosive runs
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While San Francisco ranks just 13th in the league in points per game (23.6), they rank an impressive fourth in the league in yards per game (384.5). A big reason why they gain so many offensive yards is their ability to make explosive plays in the run game.
The Niners offensive ranks in runs over 10 yards, while the Bills' defense allows the second-most runs over 10 yards. This will be a test for the Bills. If they have solid tackling techniques and can limit long runs, that will greatly improve their chances on Sunday evening.
Move the chains down on the third level
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Last week, the Bills were 9 of 15 (60%) in their win over Kansas City. Their ability to extend drives led them to victory. On paper, they have an opportunity to do the same this week.
Despite ranking in the top ten in both rushing and pass defense, the Niners have been leaky on third downs. Their third-down rate of 43.7% ranks 26th in the NFL. Josh Allen and the Bills' offense, albeit with some injuries to the pass catchers, should be able to move the sticks when needed.
