Written by AP Sports Writer John Wawrow
New York’s Orchard Park (AP) In his most recent all-out effort, Josh Allen scored a receiving touchdown on a ball he threw, and the Buffalo Bills defeated the San Francisco 49ers 35–10 on a snowy Sunday night to win the AFC East for the fifth time in a row.
As the first quarterback and eighth player in the Super Bowl era to score touchdowns in passing, rushing, and receiving, Allen was also the first since Christian McCaffrey of the Niners in 2022.
He passed to Amari Cooper, who was caught short of the goal line and returned the ball to Allen, for his receiving touchdown. In order to score, the quarterback ran to the left corner of the end zone and dove past for the pylon. The play did not register as a reception, but Allen was given credit for a touchdown pass and reception.
His ultimate stats were three rushes for 18 yards and a touchdown, zero catches for 7 yards and a touchdown, and 13 of 17 throwing for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
As the Bills (10-2) scored on four of five drives during halftime to take a 28-3 lead, beginning with a 5-yard rush by Ray Davis, snow flew like confetti in joy from the crowded stands. James Cook finished with 107 yards rushing and scored on a career-long 65-yard run.
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Orchard Park, New York, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) makes a throw against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Adrian Kraus for AP)
Buffalo is 10-2 or better for the fifth time in team history and the first since 1991 after winning seven straight after suffering back-to-back losses to Baltimore and Houston. The Bills were the eighth club in the NFL to win a division title with five games left, and the first since Indianapolis in 2009.
Allen increased his career total to 247 touchdowns (186 passing, 59 rushing, and two receiving) two days after declaring his engagement to Hollywood actress Hailee Steinfeld, shattering the team record of 244 set by Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. He also scored an 8-yard run and a 7-yard pass to Mack Hollins.
The 49ers (5-7), the reigning NFC champions, lost McCaffrey to a knee injury in the second quarter and collapsed as they suffered their third consecutive defeat. On the field covered in snow, McCaffrey seemed to take an unsteady step with his left foot and fell right away. Following a sideline examination, he hobbled to the locker room and was declared out at the beginning of the second half.
After missing the first eight games of the season due to Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey finished the game with 53 yards on seven carries, his fourth of the season.
The 49ers, who are in danger of missing the playoffs a season after falling to Kansas City in the Super Bowl, had a very bad season.
Jake Moody of the Niners missed field goals from 45 and 55 yards out as the game went on, with the snow falling all night and becoming heavier. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had the ball pushed out of his arms at the Buffalo 2 to halt San Francisco’s first possession of the second half, and the 49ers lost three fumbles and turned the ball over three times.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 01: Following the Buffalo Bills’ 35-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on December 01, 2024, in Orchard Park, New York, Josh Allen #17 and head coach Sean McDermott create snow angels during an interview. (Getty Images/Bryan M. Bennett photo)Getty Pictures
Isaac Guerendo scored on a 15-yard run after Moody started the scoring with a 33-yard field goal.
The Niners fell to 0-5 when scoring 20 points or less, while Buffalo continued its record of scoring 30 points or more to six games in a row.
After missing one game due to an injured throwing shoulder, Brock Purdy returned and ended with 11 of 18 yards for 94 yards.
The temperature was 27 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-3 Celsius) throughout the game, and it seemed colder due to the wind. A lake-effect storm dumped an estimated 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow on the region over the past two days, but the band of heavy snow coming off nearby Lake Erie shifted south of the stadium by noon, allowing more than enough time for workers to clear the roads and prepare the venue.
During the fourth quarter’s two-minute warning, the NFL declared there would be no commercial break because they were so keen to get the game over with.
Hollins arrived in his usual barefoot fashion despite the weather.
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, in Orchard Park, New York, San Francisco 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown tackles Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel, right, during the second half of an NFL football game. (Photo by Adrian Kraus for AP)
Injuries
Five starters were absent from the 49ers’ game. Starting LT Trent Williams (ankle) and top pass rusher Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) were sidelined Friday. Also ruled out were LG Aaron Banks (concussion), DT Jordan Elliott (concussion) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee).
Up next
Next Sunday, the 49ers host Chicago.
Next Sunday, the Bills will visit the Los Angeles Rams.
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