Buffalo Bills vs. San
Francisco 49ers

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - I haven't even eaten any turkey as I write this Thanksgiving morning. But I already feel like I have that turkey-chemical-stuffed stomach-groggy feeling. Maybe it comes from trying to find something interesting about the San Francisco 49ers. A 3-8 team lacking any personality, any big names and any threat to travel East and win in snowy Buffalo.

Yes, I know it's the return of Takeo Spikes and Nate Clements. Boring. Yes, Mike Singletary is the head coach. Whatever. Yes, Frank Gore is a talent. So what.

While I hope the Bills players and coaches don't think this way, I do believe that this should be an easy win for Buffalo. I would have said that even if they didn't re-discover their offense and quarterback in Kansas City.

Mediocre, talent-less teams like the Niners just don't come to Buffalo in late November and win. They won't on Sunday.

Bills Offense vs. 49ers Defense

The season was likely rescued in Kansas City. Not only because the Bills won by beating a bad team, but mostly because Trent Edwards regained his confidence by beating a bad team. He finally looked like the in-control, spread-the-ball-around, wise-beyond-his-age player we saw last year and early this year. Why did it turn around? KC's bad defense is one reason. But the ability to run the ball is a big reason. Those play-action passes that worked? They work only because Lynch and Jackson combined for 171 yards rush. The return of Josh Reed was also a reason. When the line blocks well and the backs run, everything falls into place. I worry about Trent in the bad weather, but right now, that's all I worry about. I think his confidence is back and his head is in the right place. That means his arm will be putting the ball in the right place.

San Francisco comes in with the NFL's 23rd ranked defense. They're near the bottom in takeaways and sacks. Patrick Willis is an outstanding young linebacker, and the team's leading tackler by almost 50 tackles. Clements is still a very good corner, but he's coming off getting lit up by Terrell Owens. Look for him to match up with Lee Evans.

Bills Defense vs. 49ers Offense

I'm a little worried that the Bills defense gave up 8 plays of 20 yards or more in Kansas City. But if you can take it away 5 times, and score on one of them, you've still had a good day. Missing the players they are, I'm still pleased with how the defense is playing. Even during the losing streak, aside from those late-game drives, they were solid. Maybe Donte Whitner is back this week. Jabari Greer is probably not, but that's more experience for the developing Leodis McKelvin.

SF has seen some positive results from the change to QB Shaun Hill. He's thrown 7 TD and just 3 Interceptions since taking over. Frank Gore leads the team in rushing and receiving, just one of two players in the league to do that. Isaac Bruce is a savvy vet who no longer is the big-play receiver he was in St. Louis. But he does have a team-leading 5 TD. Vernon Davis is a talented, fast tight end who has never lived up to his high draft choice. The Niners have 52 plays of 20 yards or more, which leads the NFL. The Bills defense was good in stopping big plays, until Kansas City. So I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Special Teams

The 49ers have an excellent kicker in Joe Nedney, and a Pro Bowl punter in Andy Lee. They did have an excellent return man in Allan Rossum, but he's hurt and out. The SF coverage teams are average. It will be curious to see, as it is now every week, what they do to keep the ball away from Leodis McKelvin. Its so clear to see how much more aggressive he is returning kicks now that he's comfortable.

Player the Bills Must Stop

Frank Gore. He is the 49ers best weapon, and the guy that makes the offense go. If the Bills let him start to run, that will allow the Niners to control the ball. If the weather is bad, that's a bonus for the California kids.

Prediction

The Bills have their confidence back, and they should be able to play like it Sunday. The weather, and the travel are in their favor. The Niners do some things well, but nothing really well. West Coast teams are 0-11 traveling East this season. Make it 0-12. Bills win 30-18.

Season Prediction Record: 5-4

*Please join me and John Murphy for "The Ad Pro Sports Sunday Night Blitz" following News 4 at 11. We'll recap and analyze the game, get the inside account from our special Bills guest and give you post game reaction from the Buffalo locker room.