Fansided

49ers at Bills: Highlights, score and recap

By Bobby Hallinan

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs onto the field during a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs onto the field during a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Today’s game between the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers has wide-ranging implications outside of football.

The Niners are starting Colin Kaepernick at quarterback; his performance will be dissected critically because of his National Anthem protest that’s been perhaps the NFL’s biggest story this season. With that said, there will still be a football game played, and it could say a lot about each team’s trajectory for the rest of the season.

The Bills are 3-2 in the same division as the indefatigable Patriots, who just last week got starting quarterback Tom Brady back from suspension and looked dominant with him at the helm. The 49ers are 1-4 and looking to turn their season around with a hopefully-rejuvenated Kaepernick.

Highlights

Posted Live as They Happen

Three Stars

1. Colin Kaepernick

Whether her performs well or not, Colin Kaepernick and his social stand (or rather, kneel) is the biggest star in this game. A good performance would go a long way toward legitimizing his protest in the eyes of many, and he’s proven in the past that he’s capable of delivering.

2. Lorenzo Alexander

The Bills’defense has some big names, but perhaps the biggest star this year wouldn’t have been  counted among them when the season began. Lorenzo Alexander leads the NFL in sacks with 7; helping contain Kaeprnick’s dangerous mobility would go a long way toward earning the home team a crucial victory.

3. LeSean McCoy

After a tough adjustment period in 2015, Shady McCoy is back to performing like one of the best players in the NFL regardless of position. He’s rated as the second-best running back in the league by Football Outsiders, and looks to continue that dominance against a middling 49rs defense.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Record predictions for all 32 teams

Odds

The home Bills are favored by 7.5 points; the OVER/UNDER currently stands at 44.

Next Week

The Bills will take on their divisional foes the Miami Dolphins in Miami. Meanwhile, the 49ers will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. How relevant those games are hinge largely on the outcome of today’s contest.