The San Francisco 49ers face another tough test this weekend as they head to Highmark Stadium for a road matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Defensive end Leonard Floyd is particularly fired up for the challenge, as the game pits him against his former team. Floyd spent last season with the Bills before signing with the 49ers during the offseason.
"Oh, yeah, most definitely circled this one because Buffalo was a different experience," Floyd said Tuesday morning on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "They got great fans, and they're going to be a hostile environment for us. And we gonna have to endure that, and play through that, and stay together, and hopefully, come out with a victory."
Floyd enters the game coming off a strong performance against the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded two sacks, bringing his season total to 6.5—second only to Nick Bosa's seven among 49ers defenders. Floyd knows he'll face a significant challenge in trying to corral Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who he acknowledges won't go down easily.
"I ain't gonna lie, it's gonna be a tough week," Floyd admitted. "Gotta have the right mindset with this one, just from being on the same team with him. He's a very competitive quarterback, and you gotta be at a high level. You gotta match his level."
The 49ers defense has recorded 28 sacks this season, tied for 13th in the NFL, with a pressure rate of 22.4%, good for 15th in the league. The pass rush must improve its consistency and find ways to disrupt Allen in the pocket to come away with a win in Orchard Park.
"But yeah, it's gonna be a great matchup," Floyd said. "And you know me, I'm going out, I'm giving it my all, all I got, and hopefully, I ring him and bring him down."
At 5-6 on the season, the 49ers locker room hasn't given up on their playoff hopes, knowing that first and last place in the tight NFC West race is separated by only one game.
"Oh, it's definitely, it ain't over with," Floyd stated. "That's how I feel. That's what I'm preaching to the guys in my room. People can think it's over with, but it's not, and it's on us to go show them. And we can do that now, or we can regret it—not doing it. So that's what the mindset is. It ain't over with.
"We in a position to get first in the division and be in the right position to get in the playoffs. And as long as you get in the playoffs, that's all that matters."
You can listen to Floyd's entire interview below.