Young to Start; Ailing Montana Will Rest Ribs

Steve Young will start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers against Buffalo on Sunday and Joe Montana, the NFL’s leading passer, is expected to spend the day on the sidelines resting his bruised ribs, Coach George Seifert said Friday.

San Francisco (12-2) clinched the NFC West title and also assured itself of a home-field advantage through the playoffs by beating the Rams on Monday night. Montana threw for three touchdowns and a season-high 458 yards in the 30-27 victory.

Seifert said that Steve Bono, a former UCLA quarterback, will back up Young.