QB Edwards watches from the sideline with groin injury (AP)

Is it April yet?

With slim playoff hopes on the line, exactly one half of your 2008 Buffalo Bills showed up for today's contest with the San Francisco 49ers - plus Marshawn Lynch.  Despite a borderline dominant defensive performance and a 16-carry, 134-yard performance from its top back, the Bills ended Sunday's game with just a field goal to their names in an absolutely embarrassing 10-3 loss to the visiting 49ers.

The standings will say 6-6, but if you're savvy, you'll realize that these Bills are 2-6.  They've lost six of eight games, with this one the crappy icing on the cake.  With four very difficult games to finish the season approaching, including three against division opponents, the Bills are once again staring a losing record in the face.

Don't Blame the Defense
Despite giving up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, Buffalo's defense once again accomplished more than enough to put a victory up on the board.  After that initial drive, the Bills surrendered just 123 yards, forced four fumbles, registered three sacks and surrendered just one more field goal.  Problem was, that initial touchdown was all the Niners would need to notch their fourth win of the season.

There isn't much more a defense can do for your team.  10 points surrendered at home should be enough to win handily.  On this day, it wasn't.

Buffalo's opponents have now drawn first blood in six consecutive games, and the slow starts collectively rank as a big reason the team has won just one of those six contests.  Add it up, and the Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Browns, Chiefs and 49ers have thrown up 50 points on us before we've countered.  You're not going to win a lot of ballgames when you're buried early.

That's Mister Lynch if you're nasty
Exactly one offensive player showed up today, and it's not shocking that that man was Lynch.  San Francisco had no answer for Lynch, as the second-year back piled up 134 rushing yards, averaging 8.4 yards per rush.  This was his best game as a pro.

Unfortunately, Turk Schonert didn't realize it.  Despite the fact that Buffalo never trailed by more than 10 points, Schonert reverted to his old ways, dialing up 38 throws as compared to just 21 rushes between Lynch and Fred Jackson.  It didn't matter who was playing quarterback; Trent Edwards (with his injured groin) and J.P. Losman were equally ineffective on a terrible day for the passing offense.  Receivers weren't open.  The trickle-down effect was coverage pressure and 3 points.  If Schonert can't figure out how to beat eight-deep coverage, the Bills are staring 6-10 squarely in the face.

Long story short: I'm not sure what energies Lynch channels prior to each game, but he needs to share the mojo.  The rest of the group was terrible.  Lynch is an absolute pleasure to watch week in and week out; no other Bill can make that claim.

Lindell's woes continue
And that's really all that needs to be said about that.  The special teams unit wasn't great, and Lindell's two misses were the highlights.  Moving on.

Game balls
I'm too indifferent about this team at the moment to consider myself "nasty", so Mr. Lynch, this game ball's for you.  The rest of you can take a hike.

Roll call
Thanks to Ron and K for keeping the game threads going while I was storming out of The Ralph early.  42 of y'all made 1374 comments, with the three least surprising guys - norcaliangelsfan, WABillsfan and Kurupt - leading the way with 200+ comments apiece.  A special thanks to the 42 of you commiserating together, as listed below:

twoeightnine, norcaliangelsfan, WABillsfan, Kurupt, D.O., BuffCrunch, ccthemovieman, savedbychrist, SebastianPruiti, jj24, kaisertown, rjamesd08, macfresh, Ron From NM, geno227, Thronsen, Cinga, Memphisbillsfan, keuka121, Tatunka, Zumone, NJBill, LeClaireBill, BuffaloBrewed, NJBillsfan, Hassanali181, silverstreak3k, thejamootz, williamherbert, BillsNorth, StuckInNJ, McDole72, chaosthepitbull, mavadjdj, Dyl, Gino Parilli, aranearum, billsfor4, jdol1568, spavery, SSreporters, MARVelous

I'll repeat the question at the top: is it April yet?

   
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
1PM EST, Ralph Wilson Stadium
Keys to Victory :: Key Matchups :: Niners Nation :: Video Preview
BUF Injury Report :: SF Injury Report
Bills inactives: TE Royal, DE Schobel, LB Lehman, CB Greer, S Whitner, OT Bell, DE Bryan, 3rd QB Hamdan.

OK, Rumblers.  Y'all know the drill.  The Buffalo Bills are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers today in a must-win game, and if you're not joining me to cheer on the Bills at The Ralph, then this is the spot you'll want to be to chat during the game.  I don't need to tell you that if the Bills can't find a way to win this one, the season is all but over - at least in all the meaningful ways.  It's a big one; get jacked up.  The team's going to need it.

If you have an account, have fun.  If you don't have an account, create one, then have fun.  GO BILLS!

   
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
Sunday, November 30, 2008, 1PM EST
SB Nation's 49ers coverage: Niners Nation

The Buffalo Bills ended a four-game losing streak and revived their slim playoff chances with a 54-31 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend.  This week, the Bills return home to face the San Francisco 49ers in another game the Bills should win.  Take care of business, and the playoffs remain a possibility.  Lose; well, you can kiss your season goodbye.  It's really as simple as that.

What does Buffalo need to do to win?  Just a few things...

START FAST: Not since their Week 7 victory over San Diego has Buffalo opened the scoring in a game.  That means in five straight games, Bills opponents have drawn first blood, to the tune of 40 points in those five contests.  That means the Bills, on average, are battling from an 8-0 deficit right out of the gate.  They're 1-4 in those games.  It's getting old.  Start fast, Buffalo, and you immediately sap the energy out of a young 49ers team with nothing to lose.

KEEP ON RUNNING: Buffalo's two most consistent offensive players - running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson - have combined to touch the ball 81 times over the past two games.  That, folks, is ideal.  The team's new-found commitment to getting these two involved has yielded 67 points in the past two games; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Expect these two to push 40 touches combined.

USE YOUR WEAPONS: This goes beyond Lynch and Jackson, and it even goes beyond Buffalo's offensive unit.  Simply put, Buffalo is an average team with a few potentially elite playmakers.  Those playmakers need to be involved.  Kurupt mentions Lee Evans every week; he makes this list.  The team's two return men, Leodis McKelvin and Roscoe Parrish, make the list as well.  This trio hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities in recent weeks, particularly Evans and Parrish.  These guys are difference-makers.  Get the ball in their hands, by any means necessary.

JUST TACKLE: This one's for you, Kawika Mitchell.  The veteran linebacker was put in position by Buffalo's coaching staff to have the game of his life; instead, he missed several tackles, whiffed on a potential safety, and got burned for a long touchdown pass early in the game.  It extends past Mitchell, obviously - Buffalo needs to tackle well every week - but the Niners have players who can make plays after contact, specifically Frank Gore.  Those types of plays need to be severely limited.

GORE THE SETUP MAN: Buffalo's run defense has struggled in recent weeks, giving up plenty of big gainers on the ground.  The 49ers are going to use Gore a lot this week; we should be resigned to the fact that he's going to get his yardage.  Buffalo needs to stay disciplined when (if?) that happens, because if Gore's running well, you can bet Mike Martz will try to take advantage of it through deep passes.  Stay disciplined, Buffalo, and you'll force Gore himself to beat you.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: This one is basic to the DNA of any win in the NFL.  The Bills were able to pile on 54 points in Kansas City because the Chiefs handed them the ball 5 times.  They didn't give the Chiefs such pleasure, not even once.  They lost four straight because they lost this battle.  Seems simple enough to me.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: After starting the season 3-0 at home with wins over Seattle, Oakland and San Diego, the Bills have lost two straight to the Jets and Cleveland.  Buffalo only has two more games at Ralph Wilson Stadium this season - this Niners game, as well as the season finale against the Patriots.  Protect your home turf is a golden rule in the NFL, and it especially holds true against an inferior opponent.

SENSE OF URGENCY: Even in winning 54-31 on the road, Buffalo didn't look overly desperate last weekend.  Perhaps that's a good thing - they're not panicking with their backs against the wall - but I'd like to see them playing for the playoffs, particularly in the early parts of games.  This is game that the Bills have to win.  They'd better play as if they're supremely aware of that fact.

***

This list is short, sweet and simple, and honestly, these keys shouldn't be overly difficult to fulfill.  If the Bills start fast and score first, it'll make their lives easier.  The Bills are favored, and rightfully so, but they still need to take care of business.  Go get 'em, Buffalo.  Your playoff hopes are at stake.

  
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
November 30, 2008, 1PM EST
SB Nation's 49ers coverage: Niners Nation

The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers are set to square off in Week 13 NFL action in just over two days' time.  In anticipation of the matchup, Fooch of Niners Nation and yours truly have gotten together for a little cage match debate surrounding four of the game's key personnel matchups.

Which blogger - and by extension, which community - is right?  Take a gander, gather your thoughts, and let's duke it out in a Bills/49ers blogger cage match.

MATCHUP #1: Bills C Duke Preston vs 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin
Fooch: You could probably stick me at center and at worst the matchup would be a push.  That term (push) is fitting because Aubrayo Franklin gets none.  As big a guy as he is, his technique is simply insufficient as a starter.  The nose tackle in the 3-4 needs to get some push off the snap to open up holes for the pass rushers.  If the 49ers decide to stick with the 3-4 next season, I really would like to see them draft the big Alabama nose tackle, Terrence "Mount" Cody.  The pass rush has been a huge weakness for the 49ers because it affects every aspect of the defense.  As long as they aren't getting much form their nose tackle, it will remain a problem.  Advantage: Bills

Brian Galliford: Fooch says that Franklin gets no push; I'll retaliate with the fact that Preston doesn't get push, either.  This is the battle of the stoppable force and the moveable object, folks.  I like the way that Buffalo has been running of late, so I feel comfortable with this matchup, but due to the mediocrity of these two players, I'm betting that both fan bases will be remarking how their respective guy will have just had their best game of the season after this one.  Advantage: Bills

MATCHUP #2: 49ers CB Nate Clements vs Bills WR Lee Evans
Brian Galliford: There isn't a team this year that has given Evans single coverage - and he's still averaging nearly 20 yards per reception.  He is, quite clearly, the best pure deep threat in the league.  Lately, teams have tried to take Evans out of the game to force Buffalo to beat them elsewhere, but I can see things going differently this week with Nate coming back to Buffalo.  If the Niners think that Nate can take Lee one-on-one all day, Evans is going to put up big numbers.  I pray Nate is singled up on this guy, particularly early in the game.  Advantage: Bills

Fooch: In a straight man-to-man battle, Clements would be able to contain Evans.  He's shut down the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson and I think he can do the same with Evans.  Clements had a bad day last week against the Cowboys, but a lot of his problems were in the support he was supposed to get from the safeties.  If the 49ers coaches are smart (no sure bet), I would hope that they would realize Clements should just cover his man 1-on-1 and avoid any cutesy over the top help from Mark Roman or Michael Lewis.  If they let Clements just cover his man straight up I think he'll be fine.  The same can't be said for Walt Harris... Advantage: 49ers

MATCHUP #3: Bills LB Paul Posluszny vs 49ers RB Frank Gore
Fooch: Gore is coming off an ugly game against the Cowboys in which he was clearly frustrated with his role.  Mike Singletary called this a "black and blue" game and I'd like to think this means a heavy dose of Gore.  Gore is not one to have back-to-back poor performances, and I'd hope that standard holds.  Part of the problem in the poor performances has been his offensive line.  Gore can make things happen, but if the line gets no push at all, it makes life a lot more difficult.  I think my prediction is based more on expecting an improved o-line performance.  Advantage: 49ers

Brian Galliford: First thing's first - anybody who thinks that Posluszny has disappeared over the past couple of games is mistaken.  With 9 tackles in the past two games, statistically, yes, he's been largely absent.  But Cleveland spent a large amount of time getting blockers on Buffalo's best run defender, and Kansas City ran the ball a whopping 13 times.  Poz is still Poz, folks.  With that said, Buffalo's run defense is suddenly a concern again, and Gore is precisely the type of back that Buffalo struggles with most.  Advantage: 49ers

MATCHUP #4: 49ers RG Chilo Rachal vs Bills DT Marcus Stroud
Brian Galliford: Stroud has really returned to form over the past three games, even though the Chiefs gashed Buffalo last week on the ground.  He's back to his near-dominant form, and he's going to pose big problems for the vastly inexperienced, yet highly talented Rachal.  Stroud should do well against the run, and when Shaun Hill drops back to pass, the Bills are going to run a lot of stunts in an attempt to get defenders clean past the rookie right guard.  Advantage: Bills

Fooch: The 49ers inserted the rookie Rachal into the starting lineup this past week.  Although he didn't get any penalties, Coach Singletary was quick to point out that he "played like a rookie."  However, they're going to keep running him out there and get him acclimated to the league.  Most people thought he came out too early after his junior season.  Unfortunately, his mother and father have some medical issues and he felt he had to leave at the point he did.  It's a shame, but he's shown that he's not completely out of his element.  At the same time, a veteran like Stroud will prove a strong test for him.  I'd imagine he'll struggle against a seasoned veteran like Stroud, but hopefully he'll show improvement over the course of the morning (well afternoon for you guys).  Advantage: Bills

***

OK, Bills and 49ers fans.  Respect is the name of the game, but trash talk is a must (unless, of course, you're too down on your team to get cocky).  Who's right?  Who's just a "homer"?  Time for you to sound off on these matchups and the game in general.

 
Buffalo Bills (6-5) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-8)
Sunday November 30, 2008 - 1PM EST

A Buffalo Bills versus San Francisco 49ers game is a pretty rare occurrence. "Berman Bowls", as they are sometimes called, have only happened nine times ever. Six of the nine games have taken place in San Francisco, and the Bills hold a 5-4 edge in the all time series.

September 13, 1992: Bills 34, 49ers 31
This game was an offensive explosion. Steve Young passed for 449 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Niners wideouts Mike Sherrard (6-159) and John Taylor (5-112, 2 TD) also had huge days. Jim Kelly countered with 403 yards and 3 TD of his own. Pete Metzelaars had 4 catches for 113 yards and 2 TD, and Andre Reed added10 catches for 144 yards.  It was Thurman Thomas' second touchdown of the game (this one coming late in the fourth quarter), however, that was the difference.

December 3, 1995: 49ers 27, Bills 17
After Jeff Wilkins hit a 20-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 all, the Bills drove the length of the field and were about to go in for the go ahead score, but a fumble (I'm not sure by who) gets picked up by Evander Holyfield clone Lee Woodall and returned 96 yards for a TD, and the Niners never looked back. Five turnovers didn't help the Bills get back into the game. Justin Armour and Steve Tasker had TD catches in the loss.

October 4, 1998: Bills 26, 49ers 21
Another Niners game and another 300-plus yard, 3 TD performance by Steve Young (man that guy was good). This time, however, the Bills had the Niners shut out until the fourth quarter, and a 23-point lead thanks to three Steve Christie field goals, an Antowain Smith TD run and a Quinn Early TD pass from Rob Johnson. San Fran came roaring back with 3 scores in the final quarter, but their rally fell short in the end. Some cocky young WR named Terrell Owens had 4 catches for 69 yards for the Niners in this one.

December 2, 2001: 49ers 35, Bills 0
I painfully remember much of this game pretty well. It was a Sunday night game - the Bills' only prime time game that year - during that wonderful 3-13 season.  Alex Van Pelt started for the injured Rob Johnson (big shock there) and tossed 4 picks.  Garrison Hearst ran for 124 yards and a TD, and Jeff Garcia added 189 yards through the air and hooked up with TO for a touchdown. Shayne Graham even missed a FG for the Bills - that's how bad it got.

December 26, 2004: Bills 41, 49ers 7
Willis McGahee (15-102, TD) and Shaud Williams (17-93, TD) ran wild on the Niners defense.  Meanwhile, the 49ers QB duo of Cody Pickett and Ken Dorsey combined for a whopping 91 passing yards and 3 picks, and the Bills defense sacked them 3 times. Rookie Lee Evans had a nice day with 8 catches for 92 yards and 2 scores; he also added 21 yards on a reverse.