It was December football Sunday night in Buffalo.
Playing in below-freezing temperatures and in the snow, the Buffalo Bills (10-2) defeated the San Francisco 49ers (5-7), 35-10, at Highmark Stadium.
The 49ers took an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter, but Buffalo scored 21 unanswered points in the first half to break the game open. Josh Allen, James Cook and the Bills didn’t look back from there.
It was an uninspired performance from the banged-up 49ers, which will only bolster the narrative that west-coast teams don’t perform well in snowy conditions.
USA TODAY Sports breaks down the winners and losers from Sunday night’s 49ers vs. Bills game:
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WINNERS
Buffalo Bills
The Bills clinched their fifth straight AFC East title as a result of Sunday night’s win. Buffalo got an early Christmas present on the first day of December.
Josh Allen
Allen, who is from Firebaugh, California, grew up a 49ers fan. He had fun in the snow versus his favorite childhood team.
Allen retrieved a lateral from wide receiver Amari Cooper and ran around the left side for a 7-yard touchdown. The play was quintessential backyard football in the snow. He was credited with a touchdown pass and catch.
Allen checked out of the game in the fourth quarter with the game already in hand.
The Bills’ star quarterback finished 13-of-17 passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 18 rushing yards and a rushing score.
James Cook
Cook produced 100 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on just nine carries in the first half.
His 65-yard touchdown run was a highlight of Buffalo’s first half. It’s the longest touchdown run by a Bills player since 2016.
The Bills’ starting running back produced 107 rushing yards one rushing touchdown and 13 receiving yards in the win.
Bills offense
The Bills offense has scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games. Even snow couldn’t slow the scoring down.
Bills fans
The Bills turned to their fanbase to help shovel snow at Highmark Stadium.
Hundreds of Bills fans showed up to Highmark Stadium to clear roughly two feet of snow.
The Bills offered fans who were 18 and over $20 an hour, food and hot beverages for shoveling snow inside the stadium.
LOSERS
49ers injuries
Injuries have hampered the 49ers all season. Running back Christian McCaffrey sustained a knee injury in the second quarter and was ruled out.
Offensive tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir were all inactive due to injuries on Sunday.
The 49ers entered Week 13 with 10 players on injured reserve.
49ers losing streak
The 49ers have lost three-straight games and are currently in last place in the NFC West. A steep fall for a San Francisco team that’s played in three consecutive NFC title games.
The 49ers lost three games in a row last season, before winning seven of their last nine regular-season contests. That hot streak gave San Francisco momentum in the 2023 postseason.
They’ll need a strong surge again this year. The 49ers (5-7) are currently two games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (7-5).
49ers’ red zone offense
San Francisco had an inefficient night in the red zone. The team went 1-3 in the red area.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk lost a fumble inside Buffalo’s 5-yard line when the 49ers were threatening to score.
In totality, it was a sloppy performance from the entire 49ers offense. The 49ers lost three fumbles and went 3-10 on third down.
Pass catchers
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the first half of the game featured the slowest average max route speed (11.8 mph).