49ers review vs. Bills: Defensive line, linebackers

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The player-by-player review of every position group from the 49ers' 45-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills continues . . .Defensive line
83-Demarcus Dobbs: He played five snaps and recorded an assisted tackle. He also played a team-high 25 plays on special teams.
90-Isaac Sopoaga: With the 49ers going with their nickel defense for most of the game because of the Bills' spread offense, Sopoaga played only four snaps of defense.
91-Ray McDonald: He played 41 snaps at left defensive tackle. He was kept off the statistic sheet, which is a bit misleading. He did not get moved off the ball, which allowed others to make tackles in the run game.
92-Will Tukuafu: He played five snaps on defense and was not credited with any tackles.
93-Ian Williams: Was not active (coaches' decision).
94-Justin Smith: He played 41 snaps on defense at right defensive tackle. As part of a defense that allowed 89 yards rushing, he was credited with four solo tackles.
95-Ricky Jean Francois: He played five defensive snaps and was credited with one tackle.REWIND: 49ers defense clamps down on Bills
Linebackers
51-Clark Haggans: Served the third and final game of an NFL suspension for violating the NFL's policy on substances of abuse. He was reinstated to the 49ers' 53-man roster on Tuesday.
52-Patrick Willis: He played 41 snaps on defense and led the 49ers with seven solo tackles and one forced fumble. . . Stopped Brad Smith for 1-yard gain on a third-and-15 play from SF 38 to force a Bills first-quarter punt. . . In coverage against TE Scott Chandler on a shallow crossing route, Willis stripped Chandler of the ball to force a huge turnover late in the first half. The 49ers immediately cashed it in for a touchdown.
53-NaVorro Bowman: He played 51 snaps on defense and recorded four tackles and broke up one pass. . . He dropped C.J. Spiller for 5-yard loss in the first quarter. Had good one-on-one coverage on deep route down the left sideline against Spiller on an incomplete pass.
54-Larry Grant: He played five snaps on defense on the final series and recorded one tackle. . . He also was on the field for 18 plays of special teams. Did not secure tackle on kickoff return against Leodis McKelvin, who bounced outside and returned it 59 yards in first quarter.
55-Ahmad Brooks: Played 40 snaps at outside linebacker and had a strong game with a sack and two tackles for loss. . Shed the block attempt of LG Andy Levitre to drop Fred Jackson for 1-yard loss in the first quarter. Was not at all fooled by play-fake in third quarter, as he dropped QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for 11-yard sack.
56-Tavares Gooden: He played five snaps on defense and 18 plays on special teams. He was not credited with any tackles.
96-Eric Bakhtiari: He played five snaps on defense and 14 plays on special teams. The 49ers waived Bakhtiari, a move they announced on Tuesday, to make room on the roster for Haggans.
99-Aldon Smith: He played 41 snaps at right outside linebacker. He recorded one tackle and had two hits on the quarterback. . . Got hit on Fitzpatrick to force an underthrow and incompletion on deep attempt to T.J. Graham late in first half. No sacks, but he got pressure on Fitzpatrick to force third-down incompletion. . . He found himself in coverage twice against Bills WR Stevie Johnson on underneath routes, and Smith made quick stops both times, holding Johnson for gains of 7 and 2 yards, respectively, with a total of 0 yards after the catch. . . . Got stuck inside, as Brad Smith ran around his side for a 35-yard gain in third quarter on a "wildcat" play. That was the Bills' biggest gain of the game.

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