One might expect NBC to utilize their flex option and find a game better than a contest involving a team with a chance to clinch their division title with a win against a last place opponent. But this is not your normal last place team that meets the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium tonight, it is the San Francisco 49ers.
A win tonight by the Bills, following the Miami Dolphins Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, would clinch the AFC East Division title for the Bills at one of the earliest junctures of a season on record.
Early in the week, with 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy was uncertain to be able to go, he missed last week’s loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field, and the point spread on this game shot up to the Bills favored by seven points. Even now that Purdy is likely to go, the line has only inched down first a point, and now back up to Buffalo favored by 6½.
These two longtime NFL powers couldn’t be experiencing more different seasons.
The Bills are at the top of their division and only trail the Kansas City Chiefs by one game for the top seed in the AFC playoffs. The Bills also own the tiebreaker over Patrick Mahomes and company given they were the squad that pinned the Chiefs with their only loss of the season.
The Bills have avoided major injuries this year and appear once again to be in position to vie for the one brass ring that has eluded this franchise, a Super Bowl victory.
As for the 49ers, it is the total opposite.
They are in last place in the NFC West Division which fortunately for the Niners doesn’t have any team running away with a lopsided won/loss record. The Seattle Seahawks are now alone atop the division following their win today against the New York Jets coupled with the Arizona Cardinals loss in Minnesota.
But their records include five losses for the Seahawks and six losses for the Cardinals. The 49ers come into action tonight also with six losses.
So, nothing is out of sight for any team in the NFC West to capture the title and earn a spot in the six team NFC playoff field.
Tonight, this contest will be played in winter conditions with snow in the forecast. That can limit the scoring and make points on the spread more valuable.
But, is it enough to get the 49ers at least a point spread triumph while benefiting from the bloated line?
Doubtful.
Can the 49ers stop the Bills trek to their division title tonight?
More doubtful.
But a bloated line in snow is not a spot to wager into, nor do the struggling 49ers offer any confidence with the points.