The Monday night game on ESPN between the Bills and 49ers features two teams in the thick of the playoff races. State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is the site for this game as the temporary home for San Francisco. COVID restrictions in Santa Clara County prohibit the Niners from playing and practicing in their Levi's Stadium. Buffalo just played here on November 15th, where they lost to the Cardinals by a 32-30 score. This contest will be San Francisco’s first game in this stadium this year, with their annual date with their divisional rival in Arizona set for December 27th.
Buffalo is up a half-game above Miami for first place in the AFC East standings after the Dolphins defeated Cincinnati on Sunday by a 19-7 score. The Bills have won four of their last five games to raise their record to an 8-3 mark after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at home last week by a 27-17 score.
Josh Allen completed 18 of 24 passes for 157 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the victory. He added another 32 yards on the ground with a touchdown. The quarterback is completing 68.8% of his passes for 3208 yards with 22 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Allen has also rushed for 311 yards with another six touchdowns.
San Francisco snapped a three-game losing streak last week with their 23-20 upset victory at Los Angeles against the Rams as a 5-point underdog. The 49ers are just a half-game behind Arizona for the final wildcard spot in the NFC with a 5-6 record. The Cardinals lost to the Rams on Sunday by a 38-28 score.
Nick Mullens completed 24 of 35 passes for 252 yards with an interception in the victory against Los Angeles. The Niners’ quarterback is completing 67.1% of his passes in his six games this season for 1096 yards. He is averaging 7.8 yards-per-attempt with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.
The 49ers are getting healthier. Cornerback Richard Sherman is back on defense. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel caught 11 passes for 133 yards in his return to the field last week. Running back Raheem Mostert added 43 rushing yards with a touchdown against the Rams in his first game back from injury. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Tevin Coleman are expected to be available to play on Monday. Cornerback K’wan Williams is out, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is questionable with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Jamar Taylor is out the season with a knee injury. The Niners still have 14 players either on Injured Reserve or out the season, including tight end George Kittle and defensive linemen Dee Ford and Nick Bosa along with Garoppolo.
Buffalo has a clean bill of health with zero players on their Injured List this week. Right tackle Cody Ford and wide receiver John Brown are on their IR.
BookMaker lists San Francisco as a 1-point favorite with the total set at 47.5. ABC will broadcast the game along with ESPN. Kickoff is at 8:20 PM ET.