ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – A 49ers defense that was blasted for its game plan and execution against receiver Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys a week ago could do little wrong against the Buffalo Bills passing attack Sunday.
Second-year quarterback Trent Edwards started the game for the Bills, but a groin injury prompted backup J.P. Losman to play the second half. Neither was able to solve the 49ers' defense, especially when the Bills got near the goal line.
In the first half, Edwards had two chances from close range, but his first attempt was tipped at the line of scrimmage by rookie defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer. On the next down, Edwards rolled right but had to throw the ball away with linebacker Patrick Willis bearing down on him.
Losman also had several shots in the 49ers' red zone but came up empty.
Defensive players credited coordinator Greg Manusky's game preparation for the performance.
Linebacker Manny Lawson said Manusky was particularly effective at predicting what kind of play the Bills would run – a pass or run – and, moreover, what kind of pass plays they would use close to the goal line. Lawson said one of Buffalo's favorites has receivers crossing all over the field with the plan that one will come open in the end zone.
"That's one of the toughest routes to pick up, and I think we picked it up especially well by making the quarterback throw the ball away," Lawson said. "Whenever it was a run, (we wanted to) stop the run, and whenever it was pass, get after the quarterback and make him rush his throws."
The game was particularly sweet for cornerback Nate Clements, who not only bore the brunt of the criticism following the loss to Dallas but who was playing in Buffalo for the first time since leaving the city as a free agent after the 2006 season.
"I don't think it really hit me until I stepped on the field and got into the game with the crowd screaming and everything," Clements said. "But just to come back and get a victory – it feels good. It's an emotional victory for me and it just feels great."
Clements was pulling double duty Sunday, starting at cornerback against former teammate Josh Reed while also handling punts for injured Allen Rossum.
As he drifted back for his first return, Clements heard boos drift down from the stands.
"I did hear that," he said with a smile. "They did it by default because I'm with the opponent. Deep down they really love me."
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/ninersblog.
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