Buffalo Bills: 49ers writer provides insight on Week 13 matchup

Find out what Peter Panacy at Niner Noise has to say about the 49ers matchup with the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.

I had a chance to talk with Peter Panacy, who is the site expert for Niner Noise, to learn more about the Buffalo Bills‘ Week 13 opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. Find out what he has to say about this matchup and what he believes will be the key to the game.

Question 1: It would be an understatement to say the 49ers have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season. However, they also appear to be getting some key players back. Who is someone that Bills fans should be watching for this week that recently returned or could return this week?

Panacy: The one player of interest is wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who absolutely torched the LA Rams last Sunday after missing Weeks 8, 9 and 10 with a hamstring injury. Despite a still-limited offense because of injuries, Samuel managed 11 receptions for 133 yards and was essential setting up both the Niners’ lone offensive touchdown and the game-winning field goal to secure the win. 

It’s the way San Francisco uses Samuel that should be provocative. He’s not just a powerful wide receiver who refuses to go down after making the catch. He also serves as a legitimate running back-type weapon who can pick up chunk yards on jet sweeps and end-arounds with ease.

I’d expect to see a few of those this Monday.

Question 2: One player who won’t be returning this week is starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo. How has Nick Mullens looked in place of the starting QB?

Panacy: Nick Mullens is a backup quarterback who looks like a backup, nothing more. 

There was some serious hype around him at the tail end of 2018 when Jimmy G was out with his ACL tear. But that’s all evaporated now. Mullens doesn’t have particularly good arm strength, and he’s not going to push the ball downfield at any particular point. It’s all about a dink-and-dunk approach with him if he takes care of the ball, which has been a problem.

Mullens’ 3.4 interception percentage is tied for fourth-worst among qualifying quarterbacks this season, and he has a tendency to make throws he otherwise shouldn’t. Reading defenses has been tough for him, too, so it’s safe to say the SF 49ers need to draw up effective game plans to put him in a position to have some success against a tough Bills defense.

Question 3: In addition to the injuries, the 49ers are being forced to move to Arizona for practice and the Week 13 matchup. How do you think the team will handle this? Do you think it could have an impact on the outcome?

Panacy: Ironically enough, the Niners have only won one game at Levi’s Stadium this season. So that might be a small bonus. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also told reporters he thinks the move will help players focus more since there are not quite the distractions of being at home for those games.

Still, it’s going to have some negative effects on both the players and coaching staff. One can only imagine being asked to uproot for three weeks minimum and being asked to perform work duties away from home, friends and family. 

Question 4: What do you think is going to be one key to this game?

Panacy: From the 49ers’ vantage point, it’s going to be ball control. The Bills allowing 4.7 yards per rush opens up the door for San Francisco to keep the ball on the ground and not force Mullens to put the game on his shoulders. This is an added bonus with Samuel acting as a dual-threat receiver along with running back Raheem Mostert coming back from an ankle injury.

Doing this should provide the chance to keep Buffalo’s vaunted pass offense off the field, although the SF 49ers’ pass defense has been surprisingly good this season despite not having a pass rush. 

Still, the Niners would be in a much better position knowing they can control the clock with the run game. That’s a key X-factor.