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49ers vs. Bills: The Good, Bad and Ugly from San Francisco’s 45-16 Week 6 Loss

By Peter Panacy

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) tries to tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the second half at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) tries to tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the second half at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ugly

San Francisco’s run defense. Enough said.

The 49ers already had given up 734 rushing yards entering Week 6, which ranked 31st in the league. That number will take a hit, after Buffalo rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

But the woes didn’t end there.

In total, the Bills managed a whopping 312 yards on the ground — an average of 7.1 yards per carry.

A slew of missed tackles and poor gap management doomed the Niners defense. And it’s been a story seen almost the entire season.

In total, Buffalo outgained San Francisco 491 yards to 300. And Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was at the helm of the NFL’s worst passing defense, managed to toss two touchdowns against zero interceptions en route to a 110.9 passer rating.

Yes, the 49ers defense can make some of the most problematic offenses look good.

More from Niner Noise

If anything, Week 6 merely reinforced what we already know about this Niners group. San Francisco lacks playmakers on both sides of the ball. Schemes, especially on defense, have been atrocious. And the 49ers are likely guaranteed a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

One might hope head coach Chip Kelly will benefit from returning home to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 after a much-needed regrouping.

But will there be any difference? It doesn’t seem so.

Next: 49ers vs. Bills: Live In-Game Thread for San Francisco

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Sports-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.