By Alex “MereKat” LeMere
It felt like the Bills were returning to a crime scene as Buffalo flew back to Arizona, just two weeks after the “Hail Murray,” to take the field against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
Coming into this game, many things started to chop away at my confidence in the Bills to come away with a win in this one. I mean, there is a reason they were in the Super Bowl last season.
- Returning to the desert just about three weeks after losing in the final second at the hands of a Kyler Murray/DeAndre Hopkins Hail Mary seemed cruel and stirred up memories I thought were repressed already. Just a lot of bad juju.
- The line movement on this game was RIDICULOUS. Buffalo opened as 3 point favorites and quickly regressed to 1.5 point underdogs at most books. The sharps have come in hot and heavy, lacing units on San Fran and flipping this line. Another thing that tends to raise questions and make me uneasy.
- Obviously, Jimmy G and George Kittle are out, but a lot of offensive talent is finally healthy for the 49ers. Deebo Samuel made his return in a big way last week, and Brandon Aiyuk came back to bolster the receiving core. Tevin Coleman also returned to complete a 49ers backfield with Mostert and Wilson, which I expected to present a big matchup problem for the Bills’ front seven.
Many signs pointed towards the 49ers heading into this matchup, but I wasn’t ready to bite. I believed in my Bills to keep it rolling and get to 9-3…I also bet a chunk of change on them. So if they were to lose, my family would be getting scratch-offs under the tree.
Oh….did I mention the debut of the white facemasks????
Time to dive right into this recap and see how this one unfolded:
Things got rolling in this one as the 49ers kicked off to pro bowl hopeful Andre Roberts, who watched it fly over him and out of the end zone for a touchback.
The Bills’ first play was a freebie for the Bills thanks to a defensive offside, but Allen was off target. Singletary got the first “real” play of the game, grabbing four yards on the first and 5. Allen started firing after that, hitting Beasley for the first and then back to Beasley for 31 yards and into striking distance. However, some bad news on the next play where Devin Singletary stayed down on the field after running for five yards. Moss filled in just fine, getting the first on a catch and run and then a really nice rush for seven yards. It almost turned sour after it appeared Zack Moss fumbled and was maybe injured on the next play. Thankfully after review, he was declared down, and Bills retained possession. On third and goal, Allen swung a quick WR screen to Diggs, who battled to the SF 1-yard line. Buffalo decides to go for it and Josh Allen’s pass intended for…Lee Smith…is incomplete, and Buffalo turns it over on downs. What a gross play call that gave Allen RYAN BATES AND LEE SMITH as his main end zone targets. I don’t know.
San Francisco starts its first possession inside their own 5-yard line. That doesn’t last long though with Levi Wallace getting a pass interference (VERY questionable call imo) on a Mullens’ third down attempt for Aiyuk, and the 49ers get to their 30-yard line with the help of Buffalo’s defense. The now healthy Raheem Mostert takes the next two carries for 16 yards and eight yards, proving his matchup against the Bills that would be one to watch. Mullens completes his first pass of the game to the 30-year old journeyman TE, Jordan Reed, to Buffalo’s 25-yard line. On third and 6, Mullens delivers again, this time to his stud rookie, Brandon Aiyuk for the first down. Jeff Wilson gashes the Bills’ D on the ground for eight yards on the next play down to Buffalo’s 2-yard line. With its back against the wall, Buffalo’s defense makes three big stops to force and fourth and goal on the 1-yard line for San Francisco after its challenge of Kyle Juszczyk’s non-TD was upheld. Jeff Wilson takes it up the middle and is met by a gang of Buffalo defenders, led by Tremaine Edmunds, for the HUGE stop.
Their first play from their own 1-yard line, but the exchange between Allen and Moss is fumbled. The 49ers jump on it and take over at Buffalo’s 3 after just 1 play.
Buffalo’s defense can almost make another stand after halting Mostert on his first two carries, but on third and goal, Nick Mullens looks to Aiyuk again, who brings it down for the score. San Francisco takes a 7-0 lead after a wonky start.
Stefon Diggs gets a chance to talk a little-ish early, making an impressive catch from Allen for 12 at the sideline. Bease-Nuts continues to take advantage f his elevated role with John Brown out and catches the next pass, crossing across the middle deep and hauling it in for 35 yards. Just like that, Buffalo found themselves at the San Fran 35 in just 2 plays. Gabriel (NOT GABE) makes his first impressions of the game, getting open for 22 yards on a dime from Allen. A weird play where Diggs gets held and pulled the ground during a play where Allen tosses it to Lee Smith. After the penalty, Buffalo’s offense got a first and goal at the San Francisco 5-yard line, and Allen took full advantage, drilling Beasley between the numbers right at the goal line, who come down with it for the TD. Josh Allen starts to deal, and Buffalo ties it up 7-7 early in the second quarter. Allen was absolutely dishing that entire drive, and his receivers could make the most of their targets. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, but the “Rockabye Beasley” celly is an ALL-TIMER.
Mullens keeps the trend going and hits Aiyuk on his first attempt to drive for a quick first down. Deebo Samuel gets his first touch in this one after a big week last week in the form of a rush for just three yards. After another short run, Mullens’ pass for Bourne is incomplete, and the 49ers have to punt it away. A good stand by Buffalo’s D there and pass defense on that third down to give its offense a chance to take the lead.
Allen escapes pressures and goes back to Diggs to open things up on this drive for 8 yards. Devin Singletary comes back out after an injury scare and gets four yards for the first down on a nice little dive. On second and 10, Allen throws a ball for Diggs gets hit and intercepted by the 49ers…but a penalty against the defense negates it, and #BillsMafia heaves a sigh of relief. Singletary, out wide as a receiver, gets the pass near the sideline for nine yards on the first. On third and 1, Allen charges forward like an angry buffalo for the first down conversion. The benefits of having a freak athlete like Allen under center, Knox gets his first look of the game and takes the ball to San Francisco 34-yard line before Isaiah McKenzie gets one drawn up for him and gets eight yards and the first down. Beasley continues to eat, getting a 12-yard reception into the serious striking distance for Buffalo. Allen uses his legs again, taking it up the middle for five yards and to set up the third and 1 before his third straight attempt is stifled. McDermott keeps his offense on the field for the fourth down attempt and Singletary is able to scamper to the outside for the first on a close call. Dawson Knox gets the quick out and dives over a 49ers defender into the end zone for the touchdown. This guy can beat Covid and and defenders, love to see it. Buffalo takes their first lead of the game, 14-7.
After a Tyler Bass touchback, San Fran calls Jeff Wilsons name again, and he takes the first play of the series for 12 yards before being pushed out of bounds. Mullens follows it up with a dart to Kendrick Bourne for 12 yards, and just like that, their offense was at midfield. A 3-yard rush and incomplete bring up a quick third and 6 where Mullens feel the heat from Buffalo and tosses it away for an incompletion that’s almost picked off. The Bills get another shot to score before half after a punt pins them at their own 10.
Buffalo doesn’t show a ton of urgency running on their first play with just 1:05 left. A short pass to Beasley gets them the first before they stop the clock at 32 seconds with a timeout. San Fran brings the pressure, and Allen throws it away before going downfield to Diggs for an 18-yard strike he takes out of bounds. Allen throws an absolute rope to Cole Beasley while evading heavy pressure for another 20 yards and stopping the clock again with 11 seconds. Gabriel (not Gabe) Davis gets in on the action, taking a short slant down the sideline for 18 to the San Fran 19 and stopping the clock with 4 seconds remaining. Tyler Bass comes out and keeps his leg hot, hitting the FG as time expires to extend Buffalo’s lead to 17-7 going into the half. Buffalo receivers excelled there, getting open, getting yards quick, and finding the sidelines to save timeouts.
Halftime Grades:
Bills – A-
Buffalo’s offense bought themselves a bit of a bump here after their 2-minute drill drive at the end of the half to set up a Bass FG as time expired to extend their lead. Josh Allen has been impeccable outside of the fumble, going 19-of-23 for 236 yards and two TDs through the air. Cole Beasley is getting more looks with John Brown out and taking full advantage with seven catches for 113 yards and a score. The defense has been awesome, too, making big stops in their end of the field and getting pressure on Nick Mullens. McDermott’s clock management is still laughable at times, though.
49ers – B-
The 49ers find themselves down 10 entering half…but they haven’t come into the game with the worst game plan. They’ve had decent success on the ground. Mostert and Wilson have combined for 13 rushes for 57 yards but came up short when it mattered most with the most production on early downs. Nick Mullen had a decent first half (6-of-9 for 57 yards and a TD) but will be forced to throw more and step up if his team wants to come back in this one. Their defense has been able to draw some pressure, but that doesn’t matter much against Allen in space, and their zone schemes in the secondary have been abused.
San Francisco gets the second-half opening kickoff and takes a knee in the end zone for a touchback. *A.J. KLEIN ALERT* Nick Mullens’ opening pass is batted down by no other than A.J. Klein whose stock continues to rise. Mullens makes up for it with a dime to some guy named Ross Dwelley for 17 yards on the next play. That Dwelley fella gets a false start and on first and 15, Jeff Wilson gets another big gain on an early down, sprinting upfield for 18 yards. Aiyuk gets his fourth grab of the night for a big 20 yards and down to the Buffalo 25-yard line as Mullens starts to heat up. Buffalo’s D does a thing and takes down Tevin Coleman on his first down carry for a loss of nine yards. Mullen gets seven yards back to Wilson and, on third and 12, misfires for Jordan Reed. They play it safe and bring out Robbie Gould who bangs the FG home and cuts Buffalo’s lead down to 17-7.
Singletary gets another opening look as he hauls in an Allen toss, breaks a tackle, and gets 9 before he’s shut down on the ground the next play. On third and 1, Singletary gets another chance to convert and finishes an outside run tough for the first. Knox gets another look after his score, taking a quick hook for the first. Knox really excels at getting quick yards after the catch (when he actually catches it). On second and 6, Bease is able to get open and get the first. Diggs gets the look on the first down, and Allen hits him for 11 for another first to the 49ers’ 31-yard line. Beasley, who can do no wrong usually, gets a holding, and after an incompletion, the Bills were facing a third and 18…but alas! San Fran gets a roughing the passer on our sweet prince Allen, and Buffalo gets a free first down. The Bills don’t waste the opportunity, and Brian Daboll dials up a gem of a play as Isaiah McKenzie runs the gadget play and burns the LB in man coverage for the EZ TD from Allen. Buffalo takes a two-score lead, 24-10, with about six minutes left in the third quarter.
Tyler Bass boots it for the touchback, and Nick Mullens leads his offense on the field to try and keep his team in this. That didn’t work out. On his second play, his pass for Aiyuk goes off the rookie’s hands and into Micah Hydes. Hyde takes the interception 33 yards all the way down to San Fran’s 5-yard line.
On their opponent’s 5-yard line to start the drive, Allen and Co. were itching to get into the end zone again. Allen’s first pass for Davis was incomplete before a weird pass (?) play to Dawson Knox that got three yards. On third and goal at the 2-yard line, Allen goes to his safety blanket Beasley at the goal line, which comes up just short, but a holding on Singletary pushes it back 10 and a replay of downs. Another penalty, a false start this time, pushes them back another five yards to set up the third and “goal” from the 17-yard line. They play it safe and run it with Singletary, who gets eight yards to set up a Bass chip shot. The Bass Man is good again, and Buffalo tacks on another three points to grow its lead to 27-10 over San Francisco.
Kyle Shanahan is SHOOK as a defeated looking Nick Mullens takes the field after the flub by Aiyuk last drive that lead to another Buffalo score. Deebo Samuel gets his first two catches of the night for five yards and 12 yards, showing his shiftiness after the catch, but it took until the end of the third quarter for it to happen. Buffalo’s defense has done a good job of taking him out of the game after his big week last week. Mullens finally lets one fly, as he unloads downfield for an open Aiyuk, who gets the 49-yard catch with Levi Wallace in defense and makes up for the last drive. Juszczyk gets the swing pass and capitalizes his chance with a score (I feel like this guy score twice a game for SF as a damn fullback) to inject some life into San Fran and chip away at Buffalo’s, now, 27-17 lead.
ANOTHER OPENING DRIVE PLAY TO SINGLETARY takes the ball for a hard-fought 15 yards on the first play of the possession but the last of the quarter. It’s been strictly Singletary since Zack Moss’s injury, and he’s stepped up the plate thus far. Allen gets rocked by former-bust Dion Jordan for a sack and fumbles the ball, but the Schnowman is there to recover it and keep the ball for Buffalo. A second and 15 after the near-fumble and Allen starts to turn to this favorite target, Stefon Diggs. Diggs gets 3 of the next 4 plays for catches of 10,12, and four yards to eventually bring up a third and 1 for the Bills. Zack Moss finally makes his return and busts through the line for a first and is instead stuffed by a gang of tacklers in the backfield for a loss. Allen and the offense stay out on the fourth and 2 to try and draw the Niners’ defense offside but call the timeout. McDermott doesn’t have a change of heart after the timeout and still goes for it on fourth, which pays off with Allen hitting Diggs AGAIN this drive for seven yards and the conversion. After an incompletion, Allen chalks one up deep for a WIDE OPEN Gabriel (not Gabe) Davis for another EZ TD! This time from 28 yards out for the rookie receiver!! Buffalo’s offense stays hot, and the score is now a 34-17 lead for the good guys.
Trailing 17 points in the fourth quarter, San Francisco starts their drive with a nice throw and catch from Mullens to Deebo for 22 yards on his longest catch of the night. Mullens keeps firing as he hits Woerner for 15 yards and Deebo again for nine yards to set up the second and 1, which Mostert converts with ease as he rushes for 10 yards. Woerner gets the look again, this time for 18 yards, and is taken down at Buffalo’s goal line. Tevin Coleman gets eaten on another rush inside the 5-yard line for a loss before Kendrick Bourne gets a throw from Mullens at the pylon, which is originally ruled a touchdown. After review, the call is reversed, and he was ruled down at the goal line. On third and goal, Mullens gets a false start on the snap to push his team back five yards on third and goal. Mullens fires into the end zone for Wilson, but Tre White gets his hands on the ball and rips it away from his arms for the interception. A tough play where White didn’t give up on it and fought to take over possession.
Up three scores with under seven minutes in the game, Josh Allen and the offense could finally take the field here without having any sense of urgency to score and just kill some clock. Guess who got the first play of the drive for the Bills…? You got it, Singletary again on the ground, this time for just a few. Allen does throw it and gets some breathing room with a completion to Beasley for 11 yards and the first down. Allen scampers up the middle for six yards on a designed draw but they give some back the next play as Singletary slips on the carry and loses two yards to set up third and 6 for his team. Allen evades three rushers as he tries to extend the play with no one open before he fires one to Beasley in coverage that is incomplete. Bojo boots his first punt of the night for a 68-yard BOMBER.
Just 3:30 left on the clock and just a win probability of 0.1% at this point, the 49ers take the field with little chance of mounting the comeback. Mullens starts throwing the ball everywhere, whether he completes it or not, going 3/6 for 25 yards and gets left with a third and 10. He gets the ball to Deebo again, who does his thing after the catch, and runs for 23 yards to Buffalo’s 25 but gets hurt on the play. The two-minute warning hits, and the Niners’ will come out in a second and 15. Mullens completes 4-of- 5 pass attempts, with the fifth resulting in a meaningless, 5-yard TD to Jordan Reed. Mullens did have some nice passes on this drive but too little, too late, folks. San Francisco chips away and trails 34-24 with just seconds on the clock. Shout out the Jordan Reed fantasy starters.
Stefon Diggs does it all, even special teams, and recovers the 49ers’ onside attempt to seal this one. Josh takes the knee in the beloved victory formation, and this one is overrrrrrrrrrr.
The Buffalo Bills win on MNF for the first time this century and move to 9-3 after a dynamic win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Fulltime Grades:
Bills – A+
Okay, I’m finally ready to give them an A+ after this performance. Josh Allen and the offense looked like the best in the NFL last night. I think Brian Daboll might’ve cooked up his best offensive game plan yet, and it was executed to near perfection. The defense’s rebound from the beginning of the season to these last few weeks has pay dividends for the whole team. The unit was able to get two INTs, a goal-line stops and held strong against a strong rushing attack. Yeah, it was Nick Mullens, but this is still a team that was last year’s NFC champions and presented a big matchup problem that the Bills had to overcome.
49ers – C+
This game had some bright spots for the 49ers that they could hope to build off of…they just weren’t ready for this Bills team. Outside of early-down success, Mostert & friends couldn’t get much production on the ground against this Buffalo front seven. Nick Mullens flashed with some nice passes and showing a rapport with San Fran’s talented, young receiving duo of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Buffalo, and would’ve lost by three scores without some garbage time action. When fully healthy, the 49ers will be back the force they were…but until then, I’m sorry, Niner Nation.
Kat’s Takeaways:
- Devin Singletary stepped up when called upon. Zack Moss got banged up in the early goings of this one, and with T.J. Yeldon a healthy scratch, the workload fell on Singletary, who was coming off of a 102-yard game. He wasn’t the best player on the field but still was able to help carry Buffalo’s rushing game and served as a receiver with 18 carries for 61 yards and three catches for 22 yards. Not the most efficient when you look at the stats, but if you watched the game you saw the impact he had as the lone back for the majority of the game.
- The Monday Night Football monkey is finally off our backs. The Bills had gone this entire century so far without a win the primetime slot…and I know it doesn’t really matter…but it does. It just feels nice to not carry that connotation along with this team anymore and break the winless streak that dated back to 1999.
- THE WHITE FACEMASKS *insert drool emoji* This is another thing people will say doesn’t matter, BUT BOY OH BOY IT DOES. I mean, those facemasks were just so clean. The Bills just had that extra “ayyyy turn my swag onnnnnnn” vibe. I don’t think they looked faster either but were actually faster. It makes no real sense, but in the mind of a semi-delusional Bills fan like I, nothing’s ever made more sense to me.
- The Offense was executing (and producing) like a well-oiled machine. Just an incredible performance. Maybe Allen’s best execution of a game plan since he’s been in the league. His passing chart last night should be hung in the Louvre. We saw Allen throw for 375 yards and four scores in the air with an impressive 80 percent completion. Allen’s top-three targets, Diggs, Beasley, and Davis, all stepped up the plate as the trio combined for 22 catches for 290 yards and two scores, highlighted by Bease’s career day. Just a delightful overall production hosted by the Bills’ offense. Josh Allen played his way right back into bowels of the MVP race.
- BUY! BUY! BUY! Buffalo’s defensive resurgence. I’ve started picturing different groups and players on this team as stocks. If the Bills’ D were a stock, I’d be ALL IN and buying into this skyrocketing price. It’s been a real turnaround from what we saw in the middle of the season. Matt Milano is finally healthy and made his limited presence felt (just 31 percent of snaps played). A.J. Klein’s metamorphosis has shocked but pleased most of #BillsMafia. The secondary and the front seven both did their thing to stifle the 49ers’ rushing attack and forced two interceptions.
- Josh Allen is a confirmed fan of “The Office.” The actor who played Dwight Schrute, Rainn Wilson, in the popular series “The Office” tweeted at the end of last night’s Bills’ game being his “second favorite quarterback”. Allen promptly responded with a variation of an on-going joke on the show that Schrute is the “Assistant to the Regional Manager” despite his efforts to be recognized as “Assistant Regional Manager”…well played, Josh, well played.
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