Buffalo is coming out of their bye week ready and willing to tackle the playoff push, with their eyes set on a higher target. The AFC East hasn’t been clinched yet, but with six games to play, Buffalo already has a potential hat and t-shirt game on the docket for Sunday Night Football when they host the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a straight forward process.If the Packers beat the Dolphins on Thanksgiving night in Green Bay, the Bills can clinch the division with a victory over San Francisco on the first weekend in December. That’s it. That’s all it takes. 

With the 49ers on deck, there are a pair of key injuries to monitor on the San Francisco side of things, notably to quarterback Brock Purdy and left tackle Trent Williams.

Purdy, who is dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder, needs to be monitored closely throughout the week. Without him against the Packers, San Francisco’s offense looked completely broken. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen completed only 59% of his passes for 199 yards for a touchdown and an interception. Green Bay got out to a commanding 17-0 lead and coasted to a 38-10 victory, with the 49ers turning the ball over five times (twice on downs, one interception, and two fumbles) in the second half. 

Purdy was spotted doing some light throwing on Monday. His status will need to be closely monitored over the course of the week.

Williams missing from the left tackle spot added to the uphill battle for the 49ers. Without their star left tackle, the offensive line gave up 12 pressures and two sacks. The 49ers have also been trusting rookie guard Dominick Puni to man the right guard position, which did not end well for him on Sunday. Puni gave up four pressures, most on the team, and one of the two sacks. 

If the 49ers are still dealing with a banged up and inexperienced offensive line and a backup quarterback, going on the road for a cold-weather game in Buffalo, with the Bills coming off a bye week, then Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, and the rest of the defensive line should be pinning their ears back to wreak havoc in the trenches. 

Follow along all year for more Buffalo Bills coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, and make sure to follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.