Niners are here, but will they show up for Sunday's game?

The team arrived at its Amherst, N.Y., hotel late last night. So even though the 49ers are 3-27 since 2003 in those 10 a.m. (Pacific) starts, it appears as if they have decided to show up and play the game against the Bills, anyway.

I’m heading out to see some of the sights, such as Niagara Falls, which is about 15 minutes down the road. But I leave you with some of the top matchups for tomorrow’s game. Be sure to play the home version on Sunday. Just follow along and keep score throughout the game:

Niners right guard Chilo Rachal vs. Bills defensive tackle Marcus Stroud: Rachal made his first NFL start a week ago against the Cowboys. Singletary gave a blunt assessment of his play.
“Chilo did not play well,” Singletary said. He’ll have to play a lot better today, as he’s going up against an eight-year veteran who is adept at clogging the middle. Stroud has 54 tackles on the season – and that’s a significant amount for a defensive tackle.

Running back Frank Gore vs. middle linebacker Paul Posluszny: It’s Running Back U vs. Linebacker U. Gore, who hails from the University of Miami, vs. Posluszny of Penn State. Gore has experienced some difficulty in road games. He rushed for just 11 yards against at the N.Y. Giants, and last week he managed just 26 yards on 14 carries. Gore did not have much room to run a week ago against the Cowboys, but there were also times when he missed some sizable running lanes. The Bills have given up some yards on the ground this season. The opposition has gained 114.1 yards rushing per game. Posluszny, a second-year player, leads the Bills with 94 tackles.

Right tackle Adam Snyder vs. defensive end Chris Kelsay: Snyder is an improvement in pass protection over Barry Sims, but his play has been spotty, at best, this season. Kelsay is a sixth-year veteran who is not an All-Pro caliber player but very solid nonetheless. He has 47 tackles and one quarterback sack on the season.

Tight end Vernon Davis vs. strong safety Bryan Scott: Davis remains into block about 50 percent of the time the 49ers pass. But offensive coordinator Mike Martz has shown a tendency to try to get Davis down the field at least once per game. Davis beat Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin on a 47-yarder last week. Scott will likely get the start with Donte Whitner listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. Scott will probably get tested at least once in this game, as long as the weather conditions don’t make it impossible for Shaun Hill to attempt a deep pass.

Defensive end Justin Smith vs. left tackle Jason Peters: Smith will get a few cracks at Peters, as might Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson. Peters is considered one of the best left tackles in the game. He got off to a slow start after a protracted contract holdout, but now he’s back in All-Pro form. Smith’s good season has been wasted this season. He does everything well, especially playing hard from snap to whistle. Smith will probably move inside quite a bit, too, where he’ll be up against Derrick Dockery.

Linebacker Patrick Willis vs. running back Marshawn Lynch: This matchup is similar to the Gore-Posluszny showdown. Lynch is every bit as important to the Bills’ offense as Gore is to the 49ers’. But Willis is more important to the 49ers’ defense because he does not have the kind of line in front of him that Posluszny has. The Bills will probably try to run right at Willis, and Lynch does not shy away from contact. Therefore, there could be some nice collisions featuring these second-year players.

Cornerback Nate Clements vs. receiver Lee Evans: Clements will be needed in run support to help on Lynch, but he can’t get sucked in too far when he has to keep tabs on the Bills’ top wideout. Evans is one of the top game-breaking receivers in the game. He 19.3 yards per reception. Clements is coming off his worst day with the 49ers, as Terrell Owens abused him a week ago. Clements dearly wants to bounce back with a strong game against his former team.

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