49ers make the grade in Buffalo

After each Niners’ game, Press Democrat sports writer Matt Maiocco evaluates the team with a report card. Here are his grades off Sunday’s performance at Buffalo:

QUARTERBACK

A

You have to give Shaun Hill a lot of credit for managing this game. He was clearly the best quarterback on the field. He made good decisions all game, including taking a sack late in the game to keep the clock running.

RUNNING BACK

C

Frank Gore was a big part of the game plan, and it mattered little that he was not always productive. Gore rushed for 66 yards on 24 carries, and caught three passes for 23 yards. He fumbled twice, losing one of them.

WIDE RECEIVER

B-plus

Isaac Bruce put together a second straight strong game. He made a big third-down reception on the first drive, and capped it with a 12-yard TD grab. Jason Hill also had a solid showing.

OFFENSIVE LINE

B-plus

The line did a good job of playing a power game. The holes were not always there in the run game, but the line did an outstanding job of giving Shaun Hill plenty of time to throw.

DEFENSIVE LINE

A

Aubrayo Franklin, Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald all made plays for the 49ers’ line. Smith had 1.5 sacks and two tackles for losses. Sopoaga also had two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

LINEBACKER

A

Patrick Willis had an outstanding game with a game-high 14 tackles. Takeo Spikes had nine stops and a forced fumble. Parys Haralson recorded a sack, and Roderick Green added a half-sack.

DEFENSIVE BACK

A

This unit was outstanding after struggling as a group against the Cowboys. The 49ers gave up some yards but when the Bills got into the red zone, the play on the back end was exemplary. Nate Clements had a bounce-back game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

A

Punter Joe Nedney and kicker Andy Lee had outstanding games. Nedney’s 50-yard field goal was huge right before the half, and Lee kept the Bills backed up with a 47.3-yard average.

COACHING/OVERALL

A

The 49ers played a tough game against a playoff-contending opponent in horrendous weather. The offense managed the game, and the defense made 10 points hold up. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky called a masterly game, with offensive coordinator Mike Martz resisting the temptation to try to do too much.