Buffalo Bills (10-2) – San Francisco 49ers (5-7): 35-10
Josh Allen was literally everywhere this Sunday. He even did what no quarterback had ever managed: score on the pass, on the ground and on the reception. A successful feat on an action which had the additional benefit of finishing off the suffering 49ers.
In the middle of the third quarter, Allen found Amari Cooper (3 rec, 12 yards), who returned the ball to him, and the quarterback slipped through the snow for the touchdown. An action for which he is credited with both a touchdown pass and a touchdown reception!
WHAT THE?!?!?!?!
📺: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tO1I6KTQRM— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
With a great Josh Allen, an excellent defense and a lost San Francisco team, Buffalo quietly prevailed to win the AFC East and a spot in the playoffs.
Christian McCaffrey injured
If they led 3-0 in the first quarter, the 49ers did not have any illusions for much longer. After a failure on their first possession, the Bills scored three touchdowns in a row, by Ray Davis (11 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD), James Cook (14 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD) and Mack Hollins, to lead 21 -3 at the break.
Already deprived of Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams, San Francisco experienced a new twist of fate with the exit of Christian McCaffrey (7 races, 53 yards) at the start of the second quarter. Hit in the knee without having been touched by a defender, the runner would suffer from an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee. His coach quickly confirmed to the press after the match that the 2023 offensive player of the year's season could be over.
Without him and in a blizzard, Brock Purdy (11/18, 94 yards) had a very long evening.
Josh Allen finishes the job
With the Niners blocked, Josh Allen (13/17, 175 yards, 2 TDs – 3 races, 18 yards, 1 TD) therefore brought the final touch in the craziest way, with this successful “one-two” with Cooper and this improbable touchdown for 28-3.
Isaac Guerendo (4 races, 19 yards, 1 TD) ended up saving the honor for San Francisco (28-10), but his team then lost two fumbles at the end of the match. And Josh Allen added one last on the ground for the road (35-10).
The Bills have been as impressive as the Niners seem defeated. Buffalo clinches its place in the playoffs by already mathematically winning the AFC East division. They join the Chiefs, also already qualified for the final stages.