On December 1, 2024, the Buffalo Bills hosted the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium in snowy conditions and earned a convincing 35-10 win. This match not only showed strong team efforts but also delivered interesting individual player stats worth digging into. Below, we’ll review what happened, highlight key players and stats, and look at some of the moments that defined the game.
Game Overview
- Final Score: 49ers 10 – Bills 35.
- The Bills improved to 10-2 on the season, while the 49ers dropped to 5-7.
- Buffalo clinched the AFC East title for the fifth straight year with this victory.
- The weather played a factor: snow was falling, making conditions slippery and affecting both teams.
Team Stats: How Both Sides Performed
Let’s compare some of the key team statistics.
Offense & Yardage
- The 49ers had 239 total yards and averaged 5.1 yards per play.
- The Bills had 372 total yards and averaged 6.6 yards per play.
- Rushing: 49ers ran 27 times for 153 yards (around 5.7 yards per carry).
- Bills: 38 rushes for 220 yards (around 5.8 yards per carry).
- Passing: 49ers’ passing yards were 86.
- Bills’ passing yards: 152.
First Downs & Efficiency
- 49ers earned 15 first downs vs. 20 by the Bills.
- On third-down: 49ers were 3-10; Bills were 6-12.
- The 49ers also lost 3 fumbles, whereas the Bills did not lose any.
Summary
The Bills controlled the game thanks to a balanced attack (rushing + passing) and better ball security. The 49ers did some good things on the ground but could not match Buffalo’s overall efficiency or defensive performance.
Key Player Stats
Here are some of the standout performances from both teams.
Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen (QB): Completed 13 of 17 passes for 148 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.
- Allen made history by recording a passing TD, a rushing TD, and a receiving TD in the same game, a rare feat.
- James Cook (RB): 14 carries for 107 yards and 1 rushing TD, including a 65-yard breakout run.
- Additional contributors:
- Ray Davis had 11 carries for 63 yards and 1 TD.
- On the receiving side, Dawson Knox caught 2 passes for 56 yards.
San Francisco 49ers
- Brock Purdy (QB): Completed 11 of 18 passes for 94 yards. No passing touchdowns.
- Running backs:
- Jordan Mason: 13 carries for 78 yards (average 6.0 yards).
- Christian McCaffrey: 7 carries for 53 yards before exiting with a knee injury.
- Receivers:
- Jauan Jennings had 3 catches for 56 yards.
- Deebo Samuel had 4 catches for 20 yards and 6 kickoff returns for 208 return yards.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
- In the first quarter, the 49ers scored first with a 33-yard field goal by Jake Moody.
- At the end of the first quarter, Ray Davis broke through with a 5-yard touchdown run for Buffalo.
- In the second quarter, James Cook exploded for a 65-yard touchdown run in just one play. That pushed the Bills’ lead significantly.
- In the third quarter, Buffalo struck again with a scoring play where Amari Cooper caught a pass, lateraled to Josh Allen, who ran into the endzone for a TD.
- The 49ers did manage a touchdown in that quarter via Isaac Guerendo, but it was not enough to get them back in the game.
- With snow covering the field and a strong Bills defense dominating, the 49ers struggled to find rhythm.
What This Game Means for Both Teams
For the Bills
- The win confirmed Buffalo’s strength and their ability to perform well even in bad weather. They showed they can win big.
- Josh Allen’s historic performance added more momentum to their season and playoff push.
- The dominant showing gives Buffalo confidence moving forward.
For the 49ers
- This loss was a setback, especially because of the injury to McCaffrey and the mounting pressure at 5-7.
- Injuries and turnovers, like the three fumbles lost, hurt the team’s chances in this one.
- The snow, while affecting both teams, seemed to suit the Bills better than the 49ers this night.
Final Thoughts
This matchup between the 49ers and the Bills delivered both strong team displays and individual standout performances. Buffalo’s balanced attack and stout defense made the difference. San Francisco showed flashes, especially on the ground, but could not keep up with the pace or avoid costly mistakes.
For fans, the game offered memorable moments, particularly Josh Allen’s trifecta of touchdowns (pass, rush, receive) and James Cook’s game-breaker run. For analysts, it underlined how a top team can seize control when all phases of the game click. For the 49ers, it was a reminder of how critical depth, ball security, and composure in adverse conditions are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What was the final score of the 49ers vs. Bills game?
The final score was 49ers 10, Bills 35. - When and where was the game played?
The game took place on December 1, 2024 at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo. - Which players had standout performances?
On the Bills: Josh Allen with multiple touchdowns and James Cook with 107 rushing yards. On the 49ers: Jordan Mason with 78 rushing yards and Jauan Jennings with 56 receiving yards. - Did any player make history in this game?
Yes. Josh Allen became the first quarterback since 1970 to have a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game. - How did the weather affect the game?
Snow fell during the game, which likely made footing trickier and emphasized the running game and ball control. The Bills handled the conditions better. - What were the main weaknesses for the 49ers in this game?
Turnovers with 3 fumbles lost, inefficient passing with only 86 yards and an inability to stop big runs. - How balanced was the Bills’ offense?
Very balanced with strong rushing at 220 yards and efficient passing at 152 yards plus big plays. - What does this win mean for Buffalo’s season?
It clinched the AFC East title for them and reinforced their standing as a top team heading toward the playoffs. - How did the 49ers’ running game perform?
It was decent with 153 rushing yards on 27 carries, around 5.7 yards per carry. But it wasn’t enough. - Was the passing game strong for either team?
The Bills had a solid passing line with 13 of 17 for 148 yards. The 49ers’ passing was weak in comparison with 11 of 18 for 94 yards.
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