Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen dives in the end zone to score against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park NY on Sun Dec 1, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Sunday Night Football saw a Buffalo Bills team that has all the weapons that could possibly take them deep into the playoffs. The San Francisco 49ers fought hard but the miserable conditions that are foreign to the team put them behind the eight ball from the start of the game. They did score first in this game, a field goal followed by a touchdown in the third quarter but that would be all they could muster losing the game 35-10. The Bills for the fifth consecutive season have clinched their division.
Game recap: San Francisco was first up on the scoreboard. They drove deep into Buffalo territory but had to settle for a field goal. Jake Moody kicked a short 33 yard field goal for a 3-0 49er lead.
Even the shortest of field goals becomes a challenge with Sunday night’s weather conditions. With three seconds left on the clock in the first quarter, Buffalo scored the first touchdown of the game taking a 7-3 lead.
The Bills Ray Davis rushed for five yards and the score. The Tyler Bass point after kick was good and Buffalo took a 7-3 lead going into the second quarter. Following that first touchdown a barrage of snowballs were cascading down on the field from the stands.
At 8:38 in the second quarter the Bills struck again showcasing their running game. Buffalo was tearing the San Francisco defense apart running roughshod all over them. The Bills comfort level under these conditions became apparent scoring a 65 yard rushing touchdown and taking a 14-3 lead.
The Bills are used to these kind of conditions so traction was not posing too much of a problem for them. The 49ers on the other hand were slipping and sliding all over the place on both sides of the ball. With 41 ticks left on the clock the Bills scored their third touchdown of the day.
Buffalo had scored on three consecutive drives; this one a Josh Allen pass connecting with Mack Hollins for seven yards and a 21-3 Buffalo lead. With four seconds left in the half San Francisco’s Jake Moody attempted a 55 yard field goal which fell short and at the half the Bills had a 21-3 lead.
The snow got even heavier as the second half got underway. The conditions proved to be a challenge for Buffalo at times and San Francisco most of the time. The Bills extended their lead at 5:58 in the third quarter. Amari Cooper caught a Josh Allen pass and lateraled it to Allen who scampered for seven yards and their fourth touchdown of the game.
With a 28-3 lead, the Bills were rolling. With under three minutes left in the quarter San Francisco’s Isaac Guerendo rushed for 15 yards for the Niners first touchdown of the game. After three quarters of football the Bills were leading 28-10.
The Bills scored a fifth touchdown to start off the fourth quarter. Quarterback Josh Allen scampered for eight yards extending Buffalo’s lead 35-10. The Bills had taken control of this game from the start and the 49ers couldn’t do much about it.
San Francisco had fumbled three times in the game, losing all three and despite ten minutes left in the game, this contest was a done deal. The San Francisco bench looked completely miserable, deflated and more than ready to board the plane home to sunny California. The final was 35-10.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy finished the game 11 of 18 for 94 yards and no interceptions. He was sacked twice. The team rushed for 153 yards with Jordan Mason leading the way with 78 yards. Jauan Jennings received for 56 yards. Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk all had fumbles in this game.
The Bills quarterback Josh Allen passed for 148 yards and two touchdown, he rushed for another touchdown and received for a third. He had one amazing game. The Bills rushed for 220 yards with James Cook the leader with 107 yards. The Buffalo ground game was a huge factor in their win. They also had 152 receiving yards.
Game notes: On Sunday Night Football the 49ers took on the Bills at Highmark Stadium. The weather report for Sunday night favored the Bills with snow flurries during game time. The PA system was joyfully playing “Let It Snow” as the game got underway.
Cold weather games do not favor a lot of teams with San Francisco being one of them. Dealing with conditions like this put another layer of game planning in play. With their record under .500 the 49ers lost this game and faced a team like Buffalo coupled with miserable playing conditions was a huge challenge. Slippery conditions injury posedan enormous threat. A lot of credit to the Buffalo fans who weathered the snow storm to root their team on. They are the epitome of the true football fan
San Francisco will put this game behind them as they prepare for a game with the Chicago Bears next Sunday. Their last two games, Green Bay and Buffalo, had turned into a couple of train wrecks. The team will appreciate the balmy 63 degree weather that is predicted for next Sunday’s game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 PM PST at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.
Sports Radio Service 