Brink's Best Bets: Bills at 49ers and All NFL Week 13 Predictions (Playoff Watch Edition)

Season Record: 103-73
49ers Picks Record: 4-7

Best & Worst Picks of Week 12

My Best Pick: Giants 20 - Bengals 17
Final Score: Giants 19 - Bengals 17

My Worst Pick: Raiders 34 - Falcons 14
Final Score: Raiders 6 - Falcons 43

Week 13 Picks

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-3) - Watch this one closely 49ers fans. A Bears loss would be the best case scenario for the 49ers. Lions take this one as Chicago's offense struggles Lions 24 - Bears 13

Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (-11.5) - Dolphins roll over a bad Bengals squad Dolphins 27 - Bengals 12

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (+3) - Houston spoils this one for Rivers and the Colts Texans 20 - Colts 16

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings (-9.5) - 49ers fans are Jags fans this Sunday. Vikings got a cupcake that brings them to .500 Vikings 31 - Jaguars 10

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets (+7.5) - Angry Raiders destroy the lifeless Jets Raiders 27 - Jets 10

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (+3) - Falcons loss would help the Niners, but the gimmick starts to unravel and Falcons punish Hill Falcons 26 - Saints 15

Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans (-6) - Browns step into reality, get obliterated by Titans Titans 41 - Browns 23

New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) - No chance for Colt, even if the Seahawks D is atrocious Seahawks 37 - Giants 14

Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals (+3) - Root heavy for an angry Rams team; if AZ drops to 6-6, the 49ers could sneak into a tie for the 7th playoff spot. Rams help out the 49ers due to a great defensive effort Rams 24 - Cardinals 16

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (-7) - Green Bay disposes of a lousy Eagles team Packers 33 - Eagles 23

New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers (pick'em) - Bill Belichick enjoys feasting on rookie QBs. Patriots 20 - Chargers 17

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-14) - Nothing to stop the Chiefs from having their way Chiefs 28 - Broncos 14

Washington Football Team vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-9.5) - A real soft 12-0 Steelers 23 - WFT 20

Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens (off the board) - With both teams fading fast, the better-coached team wins Ravens 16 - Cowboys 13

Buffalo Bills vs. San Francisco 49ers (+2.5)

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Why SF Wins: The 49ers have some good mojo heading into this game. The return of starters on both sides of the ball has given the team a confidence boost it badly needed. The 49ers defense has excelled this year despite a slew of major injuries. If the 49ers are to win this game, it will be because of a defense led by LB Fred Warner, DE Kerry Hyder Jr., and a creatively-shuffled secondary pieced together by DC Robert Saleh. The defense has been carrying this team for most of the season, but the offense will get a nice shot in the arm with the return of WR Brandon Aiyuk. Kyle Shanahan will be working with a better arsenal than he has had in months, and if he wants to earn the title of "wizard/genius/guru/sherpa/jedi/scholar" etc., Monday night in prime time will be the perfect opportunity. If the 49ers can force turnovers on defense and limit the big play ability of Bills QB Josh Allen, while implementing a creative offensive gameplan that takes risks, they have a good shot of upsetting the 8-3 Buffalo Bills.

Why SF Loses: Once again the 49ers are facing another team that is simply more talented than they are. I will not use the lazy narrative that the 49ers can't stop a running QB. That seemed more appropriate to the 2019 49ers than it does this unit. If the 49ers lose it won't be on the defense so much as it will be on the 49ers offense. The Bills are a legitimately good defense and 49ers QB Nick Mullens is a legitimately mediocre player. If the Bills can get after Mullens consistently, they should be in good shape to shut down the 49ers offense, which would lead directly to a Buffalo victory.

Prediction: The 49ers will bring the fight to the Buffalo Bills. No matter how you feel about this team, the coach, or whomever, you can't say that they have quit. For the first time in quite a while, the 49ers have to be feeling like the playoffs could be an actual reality for them if they play well and things begin to break right. Their motivation should not be an issue. If it is, that will be a humongous red flag for the coaching staff. The Bills have a lot to play for as well. They lead the AFC East, but the Miami Dolphins are a game back and nipping at their heels. Expect a hard-fought, defensive battle. Bills 20 - 49ers 16 *My opinion at time of publishing*

EDIT: Updated Prediction 12/4/20 Nick Mullens Will Shine in Prime-Time 49ers 24 - Bills 20

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