ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Just as the sport between the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers was set to kick off, snow descended on the stadium. The quantity of snow — which continued all through the night time — was surprising after a storm hit the area over the weekend.
The sport ended with Bills coach Sean McDermott difficult his quarterback Josh Allen to do snow angels on the sector with him — after McDermott promised tight finish Zach Davidson at halftime he would if Buffalo gained — because the staff celebrated the victory and with it a fifth straight AFC East title.
The situations served as a picturesque white background because the Bills beat the 49ers 35-10 on “Sunday Night Football” to proceed a seven-game successful streak, enhance to 10-2 and grow to be the second staff this week to punch their ticket to the postseason, following the Kansas City Chiefs.
Along the best way, the Bills set a wide range of information, together with turning into the seventh staff since 1980 to clinch a division title with 5 video games remaining in a season. They are the fourth staff to take action since division realignment in 2002 — the earlier three misplaced within the Super Bowl — however the one one to have three or extra division video games nonetheless to play.
With the division checked off, nevertheless, the Bills’ sights are already on objectives nonetheless to be reached, together with the No. 1 seed within the AFC. They presently sit a sport again of the Chiefs (11-1).
“This one feels a little bit bit completely different, this early within the season … so, the cool factor about it, get to go on the market, and we get to play free,” Allen mentioned. “There’s actually no repercussions for what we’re doing, however on the similar time, we’re chasing the 1-seed. We perceive that. We know that and we have got to maintain getting higher each week.
“But it’ll be enjoyable to go on the market and play free and play relaxed and play free. I believe that could possibly be a harmful staff.”
Buffalo has made the postseason in seven of the eight years McDermott and basic supervisor Brandon Beane have led the Bills. Only as soon as has the staff reached the AFC Championship Game (2020), and by no means in that stretch have the Bills been the No. 1 seed.
“It’s in all probability the following purpose for us is to place ourselves the most effective we will,” McDermott mentioned. “We management a bit of that after which a few of that we do not. So, it is actually about our stage of play each week, attending to the extent it must be, and that often places you in a great place by some means.”
Buffalo is 6-0 at residence this season — accentuating the purpose of the No. 1 seed — the primary time the Bills have began 6-0 at residence since 1991, after they reached the Super Bowl.
Clinching the division got here because the Bills defied many exterior expectations. The Jets (3-9) entered the season because the favorites to win the AFC East (+160 at ESPN BET), barely forward of the Bills (+185).
“It’s like a participation trophy. OK, like now we [are] collaborating in one thing greater, but it surely do not actually imply nothing,” cornerback Rasul Douglas mentioned. “You need some {hardware}, one thing you could hold without end … the entire trophy or ring or one thing you could be remembered without end with.”
The Bills’ offense showcased in opposition to the 49ers why it has been capable of put up 30-plus factors in six straight video games. After a three-and-out on Buffalo’s first drive of the sport and the 49ers kicking a area purpose on their opening offensive possession, the Bills scored unanswered touchdowns on three straight possessions.
The effort was led by Allen, who grew to become the primary quarterback in NFL historical past with a passing, dashing and receiving landing in a single sport. Allen completed 13-of-17 passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns and had three rushes for 18 yards and the rating.
Some of that scoring manufacturing got here on a unique play with wide receiver Amari Cooper with 6:05 remaining within the third quarter. On first-and-goal from the 49ers’ 7-yard line, Allen handed to Cooper for what would have been a lack of 2 yards, however as defenders acquired to Cooper, he noticed Allen immediately behind him and lateraled the ball to the quarterback.
“I used to be questioning what he was doing over there,” Cooper mentioned. “That would not often occur once you throw a dart route like that. I simply noticed him. I figured he was over there as a result of he needed the ball, so I gave it to him.”
Allen then ran previous defenders and leaped into the top zone to present the Bills a 28-3 lead. He was credited for a passing landing and a receiving landing on the play, however not a reception because it was a lateral.
“I want [Cooper] acquired credited for one thing there, an help or a passing landing. But, once more, I type of threw a nasty ball, “Allen mentioned. “So, I used to be simply type of chasing it. He made a heck of a catch. I threw it, it was simply type of sticky hand and I simply type of chased the ball simply to be there. And we made eye contact, and he simply pitched it, and I needed to go make a play. It was dope.”
The Bills have been capable of solidify the win with three second-half fumble recoveries and by limiting the 49ers to 239 web yards in exterior linebacker Matt Milano‘s return to the sector. Milano performed 76.6% of the defensive snaps, per Next Gen Stats, in his first sport since October 8, 2023.
Milano is certainly one of three gamers, together with left sort out Dion Dawkins and lengthy snapper Reid Ferguson, who’ve been with the staff for all eight seasons below McDermott and Beane.
“When I got here into the league, it was the Patriots,” Dawkins mentioned. “They have been doing it each single yr, and now it is us and it is lovely. Being on this aspect, I take pleasure in it. … Everything is the correct amount of proper for this factor to coast the best way it is presupposed to.”
