The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers will face off tonight in stormy conditions. With temperatures expected to top 20 degrees and wind gusts of up to fifteen miles per hour expected to bring the wind chill down to around 20 degrees, it certainly won’t be a pleasant night. Is it the coldest game we’ve seen at Highmark Stadium? No, not even close. However, it is the first true “winter” game for the 2024 season and this year’s Bills group.

San Francisco is dealing with a lot of injury issues with star left tackle Trent Williams and star pass rusher Joey Bosa both out. The 49ers are also missing starting corner Deommodore Lenoir, offensive lineman Aaron Banks and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott. Quarterback Brock Purdy missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury, but he is playing tonight.

For the Bills, the team is getting closer to full health. Linebacker Matt Milano is back, as is right tackle Spencer Brown. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury, and Keon Coleman will miss his third straight game with a wrist injury. Overall, though, Buffalo is heading in the right direction in terms of health.

What will quarterback Josh Allen look like in his first game since his engagement to singer/actress Hailee Steinfeld? Can the Bills secure their fifth straight AFC East Division title tonight? Will the Bills rely on their running power or will they leave Allen to power through the elements? It’ll be a few more hours before we know the result, but in the meantime we have to trust the process.

Your first half thread is here, friends. Please remember to be polite to one another. Remember to change comments to “oldest” for that classic game thread feel. And most importantly, remember to enjoy the game wherever you see it.

Come on, bills!