‘As a steady lake-effect snowstorm pounded Orchard Park, the Bills did the same to the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Led on the winter-white ground by running back James Cook, the Bills piled up 141 rushing yards in the first half of a 35-10 wipeout that surely looked picturesque on NBC’s nationwide broadcast. The win improved the Bills to 10-2 and clinched their fifth straight AFC East championship. It also kept them seeded second in the AFC playoff picture, one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs.’
Archives for December 2, 2024
Ryan O’Halloran: Bills still tops in division, but bigger, attainable goals remain
‘But the real work now begins. They have disposed of their incompetent division rivals so early that we’re still nibbling on Thanksgiving leftovers and thinking about what kind of Christmas tree to get.’
‘Wonderful,’ ‘dope’: Linebacker Matt Milano makes return to Buffalo Bills lineup
‘“It was dope,” added pass rusher Von Miller. “The real 58. I know what it’s like to overcome injury and get back on the field. I was just happy for him. I love Matt.”’
Takeaways, game balls from the Buffalo Bills’ rout of the San Francisco 49ers
‘Let’s face it, the Bills got a break when 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey departed early in the second quarter with a non-contact knee injury. He had already gained 53 yards on seven rushes and 14 yards on two catches – he was going to match plays with Cook on a night when the offense had the advantage on a slick field.’
Plays that shaped the game: Here’s the backstory of Josh Allen’s improvised, MVP-level lateral play
‘But before officials blew the play dead, Cooper lateraled to Allen, who was following the play. Niners safety Malik Mustapha swooped in to assist on the tackle of Cooper and made a diving attempt to stop Allen. But the Bills’ QB shrugged him off and outraced two Niners to the left pylon for the touchdown.’
Report Card: Rushing attack, strong coaching produce desired result against 49ers
‘Run defense: C-: It remains a real concern. The 49ers were able to bully their way to 119 yards on 17 carries, an average of 7.0 yards per attempt in the first half.’
Josh Allen’s historic night in the snow leads Bills to fifth straight AFC East title
‘This was Buffalo’s seventh consecutive victory and in each of the last six they have scored more than 30 points. Yes, the Bills are on a serious roll, and not even a nasty weather night could slow them down.’
Bills report card: Buffalo buries 49ers with flurry as Josh Allen, Sean McDermott celebrate
‘Early in the game it looked like the 49ers were going to be able to make it a game as McCaffrey and Jordan Mason combined for more than 100 yards rushing in the first quarter, but then McCaffrey went out and the 49ers offense was crippled after that.’
Snow angels, laterals & ski goggles: Bills on top of their game in division-clincher
‘In the third quarter with a 21-3 lead, after its defense produced a fourth-down stop, the Bills drove to a first and goal at the San Francisco 7. Allen threw a short pass behind the line of scrimmage to Amari Cooper, who reached back for a touch catch but was immediately swarmed by defenders. But Cooper saw help coming and pitched it back to Allen, who did the rest of the work.’
Bills’ run game enforcer, belly out & ready for a fight, was life of party in blowout win
‘If you weren’t looking for him, you might have missed him. But he was there in all his glory – having as much fun as anybody in the stadium. He danced with receiver Mack Hollins, then turned to the crowd, lifted his jersey over his helmet, and gyrated in front of an end zone full of screaming Bills Mafia.’
Mack Hollins arrives barefoot for Bills’ Sunday night victory: ‘That’s just how he is, and I freaking love it’
‘“He really don’t wear shoes and he really doesn’t take elevators,” Epenesa said. “That’s just how he is, and I freaking love it. He’s been a great addition to the team.”’
Bills QB Josh Allen explains why he celebrated AFC East title making snow angels with HC
‘“He’s the one who got me to do it,” Allen told the media postgame. “I was just trying to give him some flowers. He was live on TV and anytime coach asks you do something you do it. I’m a good soldier. I’m not the biggest snow angel fan because you get cold down there. My toes are freezing right now. I’m just trying to get in the shower, but it was fun.”’
Buffalo Bills clinch AFC East for fifth-straight year in blowout win over 49ers (Encouraged/worried)
‘Josh Allen’s left hand: Josh Allen was seen shaking his hand after a quarterback run early in the game. On his score via lateral from Amari Cooper, Allen seemed to be wincing as he came off the field. It didn’t seem to affect his overall play against the 49ers, but this is something to monitor this week.’
Christian McCaffrey exits with injury: 4 key moments in Bills’ dominant Sunday night win over 49ers
‘The 49ers’ running back looked to have Buffalo’s number and was pacing his offense. Then with just over 11 minutes left in the second quarter, McCaffrey gave himself up for a five-yard loss and immediately went into the medical tent.’
Josh Allen made MVP case, NFL history in Bills’ snowy blowout win vs. 49ers (5 takeaways)
‘The Bills run game took over the game on their second offensive drive and never took the foot off the pedal. Ray Davis opened the scoring when he charged through several attempted tackles on a 13-yard run in the red zone. He then showed off his speed by breaking an inside run out wide, past 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward for a five-yard touchdown.’