The Bills are fresh off a bye week with a primetime game on deck. Buffalo hosts San Francisco for a Week 13 matchup on Sunday Night Football.
Here are five storylines to follow for Sunday.
1. Sean McDermott 7-0 off bye weeks
The Bills are undefeated following bye weeks since Sean McDermott took over as the head coach in 2017. Buffalo is 7-0 after an off week under McDermott with wins against talented opponents like the Chiefs (2023) and the Packers (2022) in recent seasons.
In those games, Buffalo's offense has averaged 26.43 points per game, 143.1 rushing yards per game and 349.3 total yards per game. The defense has allowed an average of 18.7 points per game, a 61.3% completion percentage and have picked up eight interceptions and 13 takeaways in seven games.
The Bills have a chance to make it 8-0 coming off bye weeks with a win over the 49ers.
2. Brock Purdy or Brandon Allen?
The 49ers were without starting quarterback Brock Purdy in last week's game against the Packers.
Purdy missed his first game of the season due to a right shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen started in Purdy's place. Allen completed 17 of 29 passing attempts for 199 yards, scored one touchdown and had two turnovers. San Francisco lost the game 38-10.
"I thought he did some good things," San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I thought he made some big throws…and gave us a chance."
It was Allen's first start as a 49er and 10th of his five-year career. Allen would be in line to start again on Sunday if Purdy misses a second straight game.
"I'm sure we'll take him through some stuff early Monday or Tuesday and get a better idea then," Shanahan said of Purdy on Sunday night.
According to the 49ers website – (Purdy) did some light throwing on Monday. Shanahan said it was a "good sign" that the (shoulder) pain had not come back. The plan is to rest the shoulder on Tuesday and see how Purdy feels as the week goes.
"It's not believed to be a major injury but he's going to be reevaluated Monday to see if he can go," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said on Sunday.
Purdy is 5-5 this season as the 49ers starting quarterback. The QB is top 5 in the NFL in a few statistical categories, averaging 261.3 passing yards per game (3rd) and 8.5 yards per pass attempt (3rd).
3. Can the Bills take advantage of the 49ers in the red zone?
While the 49ers are a top 10 team on offense and defense, one area they've struggled in on both sides of the ball is the red zone.
They're averaging 384.5 total yards per game on offense (4th best) and allowing just 304.3 total yards per game (6th best). On the contrary, the 49ers are only scoring touchdowns in the red zone 50% of the time (ties for 5th worst). On defense, San Francisco is allowing touchdowns in the red zone at a rate of 67.6% (4thworst).
The Bills are a top 10 team in the red zone on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is scoring touchdowns in the red zone 63.8% of the time (6th best). They're allowing red zone touchdowns at a rate of 51.3% on defense (10thbest).
Last week marked the first time an opposing team scored at least 30 points against the 49ers. The Packers scored 38 and were 5-for-5 in the red zone. The Bills have scored 30+ points in five straight games.
4. The Bills can clinch a playoff spot in Week 13
With Week 13 on deck and a 9-2 record, the Bills are getting closer to clinch a playoff spot. There's a chance Buffalo punches their postseason ticket this week.
The New York Times playoff predictor says the Bills have greater than a 99% chance to make the playoffs and the division. They also have Buffalo at a 42% chance to have a Round 1 bye and a 15% chance to make it to the Super Bowl.
The Bills can clinch the AFC East this week with a win over the 49ers and a Miami loss to Green Bay. The Dolphins rank second in the AFC East with a 5-6 record, the Jets are third (3-8) and the Patriots are last (3-9). Buffalo would earn their fifth straight division title because the Bills already swept Miami this season and the Jets/Patriots wouldn't be able to match Buffalo's 10 wins with just five weeks remaining.
5. Going for 7 straight wins
The Bills are going for their seventh straight win of the season. If Buffalo beats San Francisco, it would be their first time winning seven games in a row during the regular season since 2022 (Weeks 11-18).
A win would also continue Buffalo's undefeated season at home giving them a 5-0 record at Highmark Stadium in 2024. The Bills are averaging 35 points per game and allowing just 19.2 points per game at home this season.
Sunday also marks Buffalo's last primetime game of the regular season. The final five will be played in the 4 p.m. or 1 p.m. windows. Buffalo's final game of the regular season does not have a date or time yet but will be played in Gillette Stadium against the Patriots.
Enjoy the Buffalo Bills bye week by scrolling through the top photos from the 2024 NFL season so far!