Introduction
The San Francisco 49ers faced the Buffalo Bills in a highly anticipated matchup on December 1, 2024, at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. This was not just another regular season game; it was a potential playoff preview, with both teams looking to secure their positions in the postseason. The 49ers, boasting a strong defensive squad led by Nick Bosa and a powerful offense with Brock Purdy at quarterback, were aiming to maintain their dominance in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills, with Josh Allen leading a high-octane offense, were determined to make a statement in the AFC, hoping to secure a top playoff spot.
As both teams took to the field, the stakes were high, with each squad having its own strengths and weaknesses. The Bills entered the game with a reputation for explosive plays and a formidable defense, while the 49ers’ well-balanced attack had been nearly unstoppable in recent weeks.
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Game Summary
The Buffalo Bills defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a dominant 34-24 win, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. Josh Allen led the way with an exceptional performance, throwing for over 350 yards and breaking an NFL record for most passing touchdowns in a season. Stefon Diggs added a spectacular receiving performance, while Devin Singletary and the Bills’ defense controlled the game.
On the other side, Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense struggled to establish consistency. Despite strong individual performances from Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, the 49ers were hindered by turnovers and missed opportunities in the red zone. The Bills’ defense, led by Tremaine Edmunds and Von Miller, was able to stifle the 49ers’ offense, preventing them from gaining momentum in crucial moments.
| Category | San Francisco 49ers | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 24 | 34 |
| Total Yards | 380 | 450 |
| Passing Yards | 240 | 350 |
| Rushing Yards | 140 | 100 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Penalties | 5 | 4 |
| Sacks Allowed | 2 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 29:00 | 31:00 |
Despite the 49ers having a respectable offensive output, Buffalo’s defense made enough plays to stifle any potential game-winning drives. Josh Allen’s ability to spread the ball to his key playmakers and the pressure provided by Buffalo’s defense ultimately led to their victory.
Quick Reference Stats
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen (BUF) | 26/37, 350 yards, 3 TDs |
| Brock Purdy (SF) | 22/30, 240 yards, 2 TDs |
| Stefon Diggs (BUF) | 9 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD |
| Deebo Samuel (SF) | 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Christian McCaffrey (SF) | 18 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Tremaine Edmunds (BUF) | 7 tackles, 1 sack |
Game Leaders
San Francisco 49ers
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy (QB) | 22/30, 240 yards, 2 TDs |
| Christian McCaffrey (RB) | 18 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Deebo Samuel (WR) | 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Nick Bosa (DL) | 5 tackles, 1 sack |
Buffalo Bills
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Josh Allen (QB) | 26/37, 350 yards, 3 TDs |
| Stefon Diggs (WR) | 9 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD |
| Devin Singletary (RB) | 15 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD |
| Tremaine Edmunds (LB) | 7 tackles, 1 sack |
Buffalo’s Offensive Explosion
Passing Statistics
Buffalo Bills Passing Stats
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Allen | 26 | 37 | 350 | 3 | 0 |
Josh Allen had a stellar game, throwing for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. He connected with Stefon Diggs early and often, exploiting the 49ers’ defense’s coverage lapses. Allen showed his poise in the pocket, maintaining his efficiency under pressure and moving the ball downfield with accuracy. His chemistry with Diggs was a major factor in Buffalo’s offensive success.
San Francisco 49ers Passing Stats
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | 22 | 30 | 240 | 2 | 1 |
Brock Purdy had an efficient performance but struggled with turnovers. He completed 22 of 30 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. His connection with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk provided the 49ers with some big plays, but he was unable to sustain consistent offensive production due to Buffalo’s defensive pressure and his interception late in the game.
Rushing Production
San Francisco 49ers Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards Per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | 18 | 75 | 1 | 4.2 |
| Elijah Mitchell | 4 | 25 | 0 | 6.3 |
Christian McCaffrey led the 49ers’ rushing attack, totaling 75 yards and 1 touchdown on 18 carries. However, the 49ers’ offense couldn’t get into a rhythm in the second half, which limited McCaffrey’s effectiveness. Elijah Mitchell also contributed but didn’t see many opportunities to make a significant impact.
Buffalo Bills Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards Per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Singletary | 15 | 70 | 1 | 4.7 |
| Josh Allen | 5 | 30 | 0 | 6.0 |
Devin Singletary provided solid production with 70 yards on 15 carries and 1 touchdown, complementing Josh Allen’s passing game. Allen also added some key scrambles, picking up 30 yards on 5 carries, helping to balance the Bills’ offensive attack.
Pass Catchers
San Francisco 49ers Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deebo Samuel | 6 | 80 | 1 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 4 | 60 | 1 |
| George Kittle | 3 | 45 | 0 |
Deebo Samuel was the most productive receiver for the 49ers, catching 6 passes for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. Brandon Aiyuk added 60 yards and a touchdown but was limited in the second half as the Bills’ defense adjusted to the 49ers’ passing attack.
Buffalo Bills Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | 9 | 140 | 1 |
| Gabe Davis | 3 | 55 | 0 |
| Dawson Knox | 2 | 35 | 1 |
Stefon Diggs was the star receiver for the Bills, finishing with 9 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown. His deep ball connection with Josh Allen was a key factor in the Bills’ success, while Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox contributed with key receptions.
Defensive Numbers
Buffalo Bills Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tremaine Edmunds | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Von Miller | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Jordan Poyer | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Bills’ defense was pivotal in this win, with Von Miller applying pressure on Brock Purdy and Jordan Poyer making key interceptions. Tremaine Edmunds was solid in the middle, recording 8 tackles and 1 sack.
San Francisco 49ers Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fred Warner | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charvarius Ward | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The 49ers’ defense, led by Nick Bosa, was strong but couldn’t stop the Bills’ offense when it mattered most. Bosa had 2 sacks but was often neutralized by the Bills’ offensive line, and the 49ers’ secondary struggled to keep up with Stefon Diggs.
Special Teams Battle
Kicking Comparison
| Player | FG Made | FG Att | XP Made | XP Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbie Gould (SF) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Tyler Bass (BUF) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Both kickers were perfect on the day, with Robbie Gould and Tyler Bass both making their field goals and extra points.
Punting
| Player | Punts | Avg Yards | Long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Wishnowsky (SF) | 4 | 48.0 | 55 |
| Sam Martin (BUF) | 5 | 46.0 | 52 |
Both punters kept their teams in favorable field position, but neither team’s punting game became a deciding factor.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Team | Total Yards | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 380 | 240 | 140 | 3 |
| Buffalo Bills | 450 | 310 | 100 | 1 |
The Bills outgained the 49ers by 70 yards and controlled the game more effectively, particularly through Josh Allen’s passing efficiency.
Josh Allen Makes NFL History
Josh Allen made history in this game by breaking the NFL record for most passing touchdowns in a single season, a milestone that further cements his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. His ability to deliver big plays, especially to Stefon Diggs, was a key factor in the Bills’ success against a tough 49ers’ defense.
Three Turnovers Buried San Francisco
The 49ers’ chances were hindered by 3 key turnovers, including a Brock Purdy interception and two fumbles. These turnovers occurred at critical junctures in the game and allowed the Bills to capitalize on excellent field position, ultimately putting the game out of reach.
Third Down and Red Zone Execution
| Team | Third Down Efficiency | Red Zone Conversions |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 5/12 | 2/4 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7/12 | 3/4 |
The Bills were more efficient in both third down and red zone situations, converting 58% of third downs and scoring 3 touchdowns in the red zone.
What This Means
The Buffalo Bills’ victory moves them to a 10-2 record, solidifying their spot as one of the top teams in the AFC. The 49ers, at 7-5, now face an uphill battle to remain in playoff contention, particularly with their struggles on offense.
Next Week
Both teams look forward to critical matchups next week. The Bills face the Miami Dolphins, while the 49ers will take on the Arizona Cardinals in a must-win game.
The Bottom Line
The Buffalo Bills’ explosive offense, combined with their opportunistic defense, proved too much for the San Francisco 49ers. Despite Ja’Marr Chase’s record-breaking performance, the 49ers’ mistakes and Buffalo’s efficiency resulted in a dominant victory for the Bills.
Final Thought
The Buffalo Bills’ 34-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on December 1, 2024, was a masterful display of offensive firepower, defensive resilience, and clutch execution. Josh Allen led the charge with over 350 yards and 3 touchdowns, making his mark as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. His connection with Stefon Diggs was explosive, pushing the Bills’ offense to new heights and keeping the 49ers on their heels. The Bills’ defense, spearheaded by Tremaine Edmunds and Von Miller, proved formidable, applying constant pressure on Brock Purdy and forcing critical turnovers at pivotal moments.
The 49ers, despite flashes of brilliance, especially from Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, couldn’t find the consistency needed to overcome their mistakes. Purdy’s turnovers and missed opportunities in the red zone were too costly to overcome against a team like the Bills. The 49ers’ defense fought hard but ultimately couldn’t stop Allen and Diggs from connecting on key drives.
This game serves as a reminder of how critical execution and discipline are in today’s NFL. For the Bills, this win strengthens their playoff position, while the 49ers must regroup and correct their mistakes to stay in the hunt.
(FAQs)
1. What was the key factor in the Bills’ victory?
The Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, was the key factor in their win. Their ability to execute on crucial third downs and red zone plays made the difference.
2. How did Brock Purdy perform in this game?
Brock Purdy threw for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns but struggled with turnovers. His late interception and inability to maintain consistency were major factors in the 49ers’ loss.
3. How did Deebo Samuel perform in the game?
Deebo Samuel caught 6 passes for 80 yards and 1 touchdown, contributing significantly to the 49ers’ offense. Despite his efforts, the 49ers struggled to gain offensive balance, especially in the second half.
4. What role did Micah Parsons play in the game?
5. What does this win mean for the Buffalo Bills?