Buffalo Bills: Keys to victory in Week 13 against San Francisco 49ers

Make Nick Mullens Uncomfortable

With starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo still injured for this Week 13 matchup, the Buffalo Bills defense will be squaring up against backup quarterback Nick Mullens. Although Mullens is a backup, he has proven on multiple occasions that he has a solid grasp of this Kyle Shanahan offense. He doesn’t have the greatest arm or athleticism, but he knows how to play well within the offense and manage a game.

One way Shanahan has schemed up ways to hide his backup’s deficiencies is with jet motions. With or without Garoppolo, this offense has just as much if not more pre-snap movement than any other offense in the NFL. However, with Mullens starting these jet motions enable Shanahan to get the most out of his backup. After getting young star Deebo Samuel back last week, it is now evident how much the offense missed him with how great he is with the ball in his hands coming out of jet motions.

If the Bills defense can stay disciplined with their eyes and follow the ball rather than the movement of the offense it should reduce the number of tough tackles the defense needs to make in space. Furthermore, the 49ers have not been taking as many shots down the field with Mullens under center.

Therefore, if the Bills zone defense can squat down on the short routes, they could bait Mullens into some interceptions by daring him to throw it deeper down the field. The 49ers’ offense likes to stretch defenses horizontally, but if the Buffalo defense can force them to attack vertically it should play in the favor of the Buffalo Bills.