Monday Night Football gegen die Bills Mafia

In American prime time, the San Francisco 49ers in your “new” home in the State Farm Stadium Buffalo Bills to Monday Night Football. Can Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s team beat the AFC East leaders the second time at State Farm Stadium? Only two weeks ago the Bills were subject to the Arizona Cardinals by a last-second Hail-Mary. If the 49ers want to keep the small chance of a renewed playoff participation alive, you have to make the Bill’s Mafia an offer that they cannot refuse …

⏰ Kickoff: Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 02:15 a.m. German time

???? State Farm Stadium, Glendale (Arizona)

???? NFL Game Pass, DAZN

TWO GAME DAY INTERVIEWS ABOUT THE MATCH

Before the first home game of the San Francisco 49ers at the State Farm Stadium of the Arizona Cardinals against the Buffalo Bills, let’s take a look at the possibly decisive matchups and keys to victory from the perspective of the 49ers as well as the history of the two teams against each other.

SITUATION AT THE BILLS:

The Buffalo Bills continue their continuous development in the past few years under Head Coach Sean McDermott. They first built up a defense, took care of the offensive line, drafted their franchise quarterback with Josh Allen and gave him appealing offensive weapons in the past two offseasons. King transfer in this context was the trade for wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings. Diggs has received more than 100 targets and is about to break the 1,000 receiving yards mark.

With eight wins and three losses, the Bills are at the top of the AFC East and are on the verge of breaking the New England Patriots’ dominance in this division. The team’s three defeats result from encounters against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals. In addition, six games move within one score.

Before the season one expected a dominant defense around Jerry Hughes and Ed Oliver as well as the strong backfield. After a mixed to disappointing start in defense, however, you are now adding a shovel from week to week. Since week 7, the bills have been generating a 9.9% sack percentage. This puts you in second place within this period since week 7. In addition, a total of 29 sacks and takeaways (19 sacks, ten takeaways) have been recorded since week 7. This is the second best value in the NFL behind the New Orleans Saints.

PASSING OFFENSE VS. 49ERS BACKFIELD

Quarterback Josh Allen leads a strong offense. In the first eleven games, the Bills Offense always managed at least 20 first downs. With this franchise record you not only move the ball, but also dominate the clock. The Bills Offense scores 27.2 points per game (10th place), 372.5 total yards (11th place) and throws for 268.1 yards per game (7th place). The only small weak point is the running game with only 104.4 yards per encounter (21st place).

Josh Allen (3,028 yards, 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions) is having a very good season. With wide receiver Stefon Diggs he got a real number one at his side. Diggs already got 110 targets and made 945 yards and four touchdowns with 89 receptions. With Cole Beasley you have a very solid and successful slot receiver. Beasley already got 71 targets and already has 667 yards in the account. The failure of John Brown, the Offense’s Speedster and Field Stretcher, simplifies the 49ers’ endeavors.

The secondary of the 49ers around Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett and Jimmie Ward presented themselves as strong against the Los Angeles Rams. The Niners are fourth in the NFL with their passing defense with 206.5 approved yards per game. The failure of Jamar Taylor weighs heavily, especially because Emmanuel Moseley is ailing and K’Waun Williams is still out. Robert Saleh’s defense should pick up where it left off against the Rams. Hidden coverages, changing deep safeties and aggressive play in the box by Jimmie Ward.

RUSHING OFFENSE VS. RUN DEFENSE DER BILLS

The 49ers have to get their strengths back on the field. The return of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson against the Rams was a first step, but it has not yet reached the level of effectiveness expected. Now you can fall back on Tevin Coleman against the Bills. This makes the possibilities even wider and the use of Brandon Aiyuk also plays a role in the Niners’ game plan.

The Shanahan Offense runs an average of 112.3 yards per game and thus falls short of expectations. This is partly due to the numerous failures in the Running Back Corps and especially to George Kittle. The tight end blocks the rushing lanes over the edges like no other. This is where the 49ers have to start and be successful again in the Outside Zone Running Game. Here you should work with many stacked formations and force the Bill defenders into the middle of the field.

On the other hand, the bills allow for 129.6 yards of ground per game. This puts the AFC East leader in 24th place in the NFL. In run defense, the bills are vulnerable in many positions and show weaknesses in tackling. 90 missed tackles. Linebackers AJ Klein and Tremaine Edmunds are also vulnerable in running defense and both already have a double-digit number of missed tackles.

BALL PRTOTECTION

The 49ers are making way too many ball losses this season. What was one of the team’s strengths last season has ruined a lot this season that has been built up under the personnel situation. With a turnover differential of -4 (16 takeaways against 20 giveaways), the 49ers are in 24th place in the NFL. The bills, on the other hand, are slightly in the plus with a takeaway more than giveaways – but that makes ten places in the ranking and often the difference between victory and defeat in one match.

Against the Rams, the 49ers had three fumbles (two lost) and an interception. In contrast, the defense generated four takeaways through two interceptions and two forced fumbles – that won’t go well every week. The team has to work on the basics like ball protection.

RETURNERS

Even against the Los Angeles Rams, returnees like Richard Sherman, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson made the difference. Now more players are returning. In the offense you will finally see the wide receiver couple Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The running back room will be expanded to include Tevin Coleman with an experienced back. Tom Compton also returns after a concussion from a walk-through before the game at the Rams.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line gets an upgrade. DJ Jones and Jordan Willis have now also returned from the Reserve / COVID-19 list. Willis’ speed in particular could be helpful in one situation or another against running quarterback Josh Allen. Overall, the defense, which has produced very good numbers in the past few weeks (especially Kerry Hyder, Javon Kinlaw and Jimmie Ward), is getting more depth. So the players should be fresher than the bills overall.

HISTORY

In the all-time balance, it is balanced 6-6 before the Monday Night Game. Both teams won and lost six games. In home games, the 49ers are just ahead of the game with four wins versus three defeats. Accordingly, the Niners are also behind in the away games with two wins and three defeats. It would have been the Buffalo Bills’ first appearance at Levi’s Stadium. It is now the 49ers’ first ever home game at State Farm Stadium.

The Bills won the last game against each other in the 2016 season with 45:16. The 49ers were looked after by the main trainer Chip Kelly this season. Previously, the Niners won twice in a row against the Bills. In the 2012 season, the Niners overcame the Bills 45: 3 in San Francisco, while four years earlier the Bill won a defensive battle 10: 3.