49ers
vs.
Bills
Week 6
NFL Pick
10/16/16
When the 49ers and Bills meet in Week 6, NFL fans will get the opportunity to see one team with one of the longest winning streaks in the league versus a team with one of the longest losing streaks. Buffalo has won three straight, each by two scores. San Francisco has lost Four in a row since winning its opener. The Bills are favored by nine points and the over/under is set a 44 points by the 5Dimes Sportsbook.
The 49ers have been anemic offensively this whole season. They’re one of only two teams — Los Angeles being the other one — averaging under 300 yards of offense per Game. Much of the blame for this has been placed on the shoulders of Blaine GAbbert. Thus, San Francisco is making a change in this one, going with Colin Kaepernick as their starting quarterback. There are so many ways this could make this Game turn. Is Kaepernick rusty from having not started in such a long time? The Bills did shut out the Patriots after all. Or, does his athleticism serve him well as the Buffalo defense won’t have any recent film to review in trying to prepare for him.
Jeremy Kerley has been the only adequate receiving threat so far, but you have to think there’s potential in the running Game with Kaepernick’s legs. Kaepernick has averaged at least 5.7 yards per carry in every season in which he’s seen significant action. Pair him with Carlos Hyde, who’s averaging 4.0 yards per carry and 75.4 yards Game, and you may enhaNCe each of their abilities on the ground.
Buffalo certainly hasn’t been anything special on offense, but they do have their bright spots. They’re averaging 137.2 rushing yards per Game. LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor have been averaging 5.3 and 6.5 yards per carry, respectively. They’re combining for over 120 yards per Game combined on the ground. They’ll go up against a 49er defense allowing the second-most rushing yards per Game in the NFL. They allow 146.8 yards per Game on 4.4 yards per carry.
Expect to see San Francisco sell out to stop the run, trying to force Taylor to beat them over the top — something he has not shown the consisteNCy to do. The Bills don’t even have one receiver averaging 40 yards per Game. Robert Woods and Charles Clay are the top two targets. They are averaging 39.2 and 37.4 yards per Game, respectively.
Our Pick – The Bills were 0-2 and everyone was calling for Rex Ryans head. A few weeks later, the Bills are now 3-2 and statistically speaking, among the best in the league. Using yards per point to rank the offense and defense, the Bills have the #5 offense and the #4 defense with a turnover margin differential of +9 which is 2nd in the NFL.
Given time, the cream will rise to the top which is where many expected the Bills to be this year. We see the Bills winning this Game rather easily and covering the big number. Bills -9