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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 27, 2026

49ers vs. Bills, NFL picks and predictions 2016: A few experts think Colin Kaepernick will lead San Francisco to a win

Surprisingly, it’s not totally unanimous when it comes to experts picking the Bills over the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers have made a change at quarterback, and will be starting Colin Kaepernick against the Buffalo Bills. This is despite numerous statements from head coach Chip Kelly that he didn't plan to make a change any time soon. But there was reportedly a lot of support for Kaepernick in the locker room and Blaine Gabbert struggled big-time.

So Kaepernick will start against a surging Bills defense that shut out the New England Patriots in Week 4 and held off the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. Granted, the Rams aren't exactly known for their high-flying offense, but the Bills have played much better in their current three-game winning streak than they did at the start of the season, when they lost their first two games.

Buffalo owns wins over the Patriots, Rams, and the Arizona Cardinals, and at least two of those wins come out looking impressive. Tyrod Taylor has played well and Rex Ryan clearly isn't worried about his job. But competing in the AFC East is going to be tough, even with their win over the Patriots. They can't afford to lose against teams like the 49ers.

Is that even possible? Sure, but the 49ers' only win this season came over the Rams, who seem to come up a lot when there's talk of losing. The 49ers, though, have lost to the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, and the Cardinals. Offensively, they've been a mess, and defensively they're limited by the injury to NaVorro Bowman, who is out for the season.

Needless to say, most think the Bills will win it. As far as experts are concerned, it was unanimous at CBS Sports, where all eight writers picked the Bills. At ESPN, all nine of their experts went with Buffalo as well.

Here at SB Nation, it’s not a shutout.

Game RVB Stephen White Thomas George Jeanna Thomas Adam Stites Tyler Tynes Louis Bien Joel Thorman Fooch OddsShark computer
SF vs BUF BUF SF BUF BUF BUF SF BUF BUF BUF BUF

There are actually a couple of people taking the 49ers, which is surprising. Two of SB Nation’s nine experts think the 49ers can win it, while the rest, plus the OddsShark computer, are sticking with the safe bet in Buffalo. Sunday’s game is set for 1 p.m. ET.

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