It was an impressive display in all facets of play for the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, as the Bills knocked off the San Francisco 49ers, 34-24. While it was only a two-score difference in the end, it was really Buffalo in charge throughout the night.
The game started with a defensive explosion. The Bills were aggressive from the start, attempting a fourth-down conversion on their first drive from the San Francisco one-yard-line. The 49ers stopped this play, as Allen could not find a receiver in the end zone. However, this would be one of the few times that the Bills offense would be halted in this game.
Buffalo’s defense returned the favor by stopping San Francisco on their subsequent drive. The 49ers were stuffed at the one-yard-line, as Vernon Butler and Tremaine Edmunds led the charge in stopping Jeff Wilson.
Buffalo’s offense, in particular the aerial attack, was in full force all game. Allen carved up the Niners defense, throwing for 375 yards on a 32-of-40 passing night. The 49ers had no answers for the Bills receivers as they played a zone-heavy defense early in the game, and Allen had little problem finding his passing windows. When San Francisco attempted to play man coverage, Buffalo’s receivers smoked the secondary.
Slot wideout Cole Beasley was tremendous in getting open, catching nine passes for 130 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. Receiver Stefon Diggs added 10 receptions for 92 receiving yards as well.
Via Allen spreading the ball around, Isaiah McKenzie, Dawson Knox, and Gabriel Davis were all on the receiving end of touchdown passes.
Once again, the creative play-calling of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was on display. Buffalo spread the 49ers defense, creating massive holes that Allen exploited. The touchdown passes to McKenzie and Knox were innovative plays to get the pass catchers in space. Daboll had a field day with his play calls, and Allen executed the plan to perfection. It was apparent early on that the Bills would lean on the passing attack and that pushed them over the top.
Defensively, Buffalo’s unit kept the skill players of the Niners under wraps. San Francisco could not get their run game going consistently, which forced the 49ers to emphasize their passing attack. Nick Mullens struggled against the Bills secondary. He did have some nice connections with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. However, Samuel was left without a catch in the first half. San Francisco did not take advantage of Aiyuk being matched on Levi Wallace. This, ultimately, fell into Buffalo’s favor.
Buffalo’s defensive line was stellar at putting pressure on Mullens throughout the game. In addition, the interior of the line limited any major progress from the San Francisco ground attack. Vernon Butler was disruptive in the interior. Meanwhile, Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano were all over the field. Tre’Davious White and Micah Hyde recorded interceptions, as White jumped a route while Hyde was the recipient of a deflected pass.
A microcosm of the game occurred early in the fourth quarter, where San Francisco picked up the pace and moved down the field with little resistance. Butler blew up a run play on the interior. Then Mullens found Kendrick Bourne just outside the end zone. It appeared that then Bourne made it into the end zone, but Hyde held him up from breaking the goal line and the call was reversed. San Francisco took a false start penalty, and then on the subsequent play, White intercepted Mullens.
There was a great deal to like from this game. It was a complete effort where the Bills were in control in all facets of the game. It’s a win where the Bills can reflect upon favorably moving forward in their playoff pursuit.
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