NFL capsule: 49ers underdogs in Kaepernick's return

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SAN FRANCISCO (1-4) at BUFFALO (3-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

OPENING LINE - Bills by 7 1/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD - 49ers 1-4, Bills 3-2

SERIES RECORD - 49ers lead 6-5

LAST MEETING - 49ers beat Bills 45-3, Oct. 7, 2012

LAST WEEK - Cardinals beat 49ers 33-21; Bills beat Rams, 30-19

AP PRO32 RANKING - 49ers No. 31, Bills No. 11

49ERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (31), RUSH (8), PASS (31).

49ERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (20), RUSH (31), PASS (10).

BILLS OFFENSE - OVERALL (28), RUSH (3), PASS (32).

BILLS DEFENSE - OVERALL (15), RUSH (13), PASS (17).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Plenty of coaching connections between staffs. Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn spent two seasons in mid-1990s playing running back for 49ers. San Francisco offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins held same position with Bills from 2010-12, while defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil was Bills linebackers coach in 2013. ... QB Colin Kaepernick takes over as 49ers starter afterBlaine Gabbert benched. Kaepernick lost job after 2-6 start last year, and then had season-ending left shoulder surgery. Kaepernick has made most news this year by not standing for national anthem. ... RBCarlos Hyde tied for NFL lead with six TDs rushing. He's scored in three consecutive games for first time in career. ... Niners have scored TDs on 12 of 16 drives that have reached opponents' 30. ... SF allowed seven sacks and punted five times in first half during loss to Cardinals. Seeking to avoid first five-game skid since opening 2010 season 0-5. ... Bills seeking to win four straight for first time since opening 2008 season 4-0. ... RB LeSean McCoy has combined 330 yards rushing and three TDs (including one receiving) in past three games since Lynn replaced Greg Roman as offensive coordinator. McCoy faces former coach Chip Kelly for second straight year; Buffalo acquired him in trade with Philadelphia in 2014. ... In three games without starting WR Sammy Watkins (left foot), QB Tyrod Taylor is 53 of 87 for 489 yards with three TDs and one interception. ... Buffalo offense has topped 16 first downs once this year. ... LB Lorenzo Alexander has NFL-leading seven sacks and is first Bills player to have sack in each of first five games of season. ... Buffalo's 17 sacks in five games are four fewer than defense had all last season. ... Defense has recovered fumble in five straight games, team's best streak since six-game stretch spanning 2007-08 seasons. Fantasy Tip: McCoy facing defense that has allowed 100-yard rusher in each of past four games, including 157 yards and two touchdowns to Cardinals RB David Johnson.

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