49ers vs. Bills final score, results: Josh Allen, James Cook erupt as Buffalo rolls to another AFC East title

Wonder swirled all throughout Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium on Sunday night. It’s easy to see why: snowflakes danced atop the wintery breeze, pallor cannon fire flowed from the concourses, and angels opened up along the turf.

Oh, and Josh Allen authored up a masterpiece, too.

The Bills standout made NFL history on Sunday night, collecting a passing, rushing, and receiving score against a weary 49ers side. Coupled with equally impressive exploits from James Cook and Buffalo’s defense, Sean McDermott’s side cruised to a 35-10 blowout win over San Francisco, securing its status as AFC East champions in the process.

Allen led the way for the Bills (10-2), coming up big in more ways than one. He was as elegant as they come, overcoming a pesky injury to his non-throwing hand to turn the Niners’ esteemed defense into stone. Allen’s final line offers a window into the nature of his all-around theatrics: he completed 13-of-17 passes for 148 yards and two scores, tacked on three carries for 18 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and even added a receiving touchdown as a pass-catcher — without actually recording a reception.

He wasn’t alone, though. Cook undid the 49ers (5-7) defense with a 65-yard second-quarter score. Buffalo’s defense gobbled up three turnovers — all of which came on fumbles — to further reaffirm the Bills’ dominance.

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For the Niners, things went downhill in a hurry. Star tailback Christian McCaffrey saw his day — and, possibly, season — come to an end when he crumpled to the turf with a knee injury at the start of the second quarter. A returning Brock Purdy was held quiet, falling short of 100 passing yards for the first time since he became the team’s full-time starter.

All of that amounted to yet another defeat, one that looks likely to condemn Kyle Shanahan’s side to a non-postseason fate.

The Sporting News tracked live updates from Sunday night’s duel between the Bills and 49ers. Read below for highlights, analysis, and more as Buffalo moved one step closer to the AFC’s top spot.

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49ers vs. Bills score

49ers vs. Bills live updates, results, highlights from NFL Sunday Night Football game

End of fourth quarter: Bills 35, 49ers 10

10:47 p.m.: Allen’s night is done. Mitchell Trubisky is heading into the contest. Allen’s final line: 13-of-17 passing for 148 yards and two passing scores, three carries for 18 yards and a rushing score and zero catches for seven yards and a receiving score. Doesn’t get much better than that.

10:45 p.m.: FUMBLE! Things continue to go in the Bills’ direction thus far. The latest example? A Samuel fumble: the former All-Pro wideout lost the ball while attempting to take it out of the end zone on a return. It fell in blue, white and red gloves, much to the chagrin of those of a 49ers disposition.

10:39 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Allen finds the end zone once more, this time (solely) through his feet. Slalomed beyond Fred Warner to collect his third score of the day. He’s the second player in the last 19 years to record a throwing, receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game. And he has Buffalo rolling to a 10th win this season.

Bills 35, 49ers 10

10:35 p.m.: FUMBLE! The fourth quarter kicks off with a flourish! This one doesn’t offer any help for the Niners, however; Purdy lost the ball while attempting to toss the pill. Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau scoops the ball up as San Francisco’s horror show continues.

End of third quarter: Bills 28, 49ers 10

10:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Fueled by Samuel’s exploits and an impressive 26-yard pitch-and-catch between Purdy and Jauan Jennings, San Francisco finally finds the end zone. Isaac Guerendo finished off the move in style, taking the corner and jaunting 15 yards to pay dirt.

Bills 28, 49ers 10

10:20 p.m.: Samuel bursts through the plume of white once more, gobbling up 42 yards in the process.

10:15 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! What else can you say about Allen? Completes a toss to Amari Cooper, then proceeds to field a lateral back from Cooper and sneaks into the end zone from short range. His collection of MVP-defining plays continues to grow.

Bills 28, 49ers 3

10:13 p.m.: The hits keep on coming for Buffalo, who complete a fourth-and-short opportunity after Allen hits Khalil Shakir.

10:07 p.m.: Another possession, another three-and-out. The Niners chances aren’t looking too bright as the clock dwindles down.

9:57 p.m.: FUMBLE! And just as soon as things started to look promising for the Niners offense, they’re dealt a cruel fate. Star fullback Kyle Juszczyk was cut down as he attempted to cross the boundary, with Taylor Ramp jarring the ball loose. Terrel Bernard scooped it up and brought it on the cusp of San Francisco territory, a perfect encapsulation of the 49ers’ season up to date.

9:53 p.m.: We’re back in action from Highmark. And the second half has been kind to the Niners thus far, with Deebo Samuel racing down the snowy knoll for 60 yards to set San Francisco up in wondrous starting position.

End of second quarter: Bills 21, 49ers 3

9:36 p.m.: Purdy helped spearhead a solid Niners drive. However, it was all for naught: Moody’s sees yet another field goal attempt spurn the target’s glance.

9:29 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! This one is quickly turning into a rout for the Bills. Allen finds Hollins in the corner of the end zone as Buffalo opens up a three-score advantage over the Niners. The Bills don’t look all that bothered by the wet and wilderness that surrounds them. San Francisco can’t say the same at the moment.

Bills 21, 49ers 3

9:21 p.m.: Cook continues to gash San Francisco’s vaunted defense. Just fired off dashes of 18 and 11 yards, respectively. He’s up to 100 yards for the night. Did we mention he has just eight carries?

9:17 p.m.: Allen looks to have recovered from whatever was causing him grief early. Just connected with Knox for a 39-yard gain. Perhaps Knox is part icicle after all: he just tacked on nearly 15 yards post-contact, most of which occurred while wearing multiple Niners defenders on his back.

9:10 p.m.: Another San Francisco drive ends with a whimper. Not looking great thus far for Purdy and Co., especially not with McCaffrey ruled questionable with some sort of knee issue.

9:04 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! What better way to keep the ball out of Allen’s injured hand(s) than a first-play rushing score? James Cook finds the edge, dashes beyond his adversaries and dances into the end zone from 65 yards out. Buffalo has quite quickly asserted itself in this one.

Bills 14, 49ers 3

9:01 p.m.: To round off the misery for San Francisco, Moody misfires on his second FG attempt of the game. Buffalo will get the ball back with fairly enticing field position, all things considered.

8:58 p.m.: McCaffrey headed to the sidelines after crumbling to the ground with no one around. Looks like he’s in some serious distress. Remember: McCaffrey isn’t that far removed from all of his Achilles trouble earlier in the campaign.

8:56 p.m.: Looked for a moment that Damar Hamlin collected his third interception of the year. However, the referees spelled an end to that proposition, claiming that Hamlin illegally made contact with George Kittle. Hard to see why, if I’m being honest. 

8:55 p.m.: McCaffrey nearly found the promised land, bursting past Buffalo’s front seven like a cannon. Fortunately for the Bills, safety Taylor Rapp is especially flexible. Stooped as low as he could to trip up the Niners standout. San Fran is back in Bills territory.

End of first quarter: Bills 7, 49ers 3

8:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Ray Davis finds the end zone via five-yard scamper. Buffalo is on the board in a major way.

Bills 7, 49ers 3

8:44 p.m.: Allen conjures a spell beneath the snowflakes, emerging from the trenches with a first down. Looks like he suffered his fair share of scars, though; he can be seen flexing his non-throwing hand while grimacing. He’ll stay in the game, however.

8:41 p.m.: Allen keeps things chugging along with a first down on third-and-short. Employed a “Tush Push” like technique to do so. Football osmosis is so precious…

8:40 p.m.: An untimely defensive holding penalty on third-and-long scorns the Niners as Buffalo keeps its drive alive.

8:33 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Purdy and McCaffrey misconnect, bringing Moody onto the pitch. He knocks one in from short distance as the Niners strike first.

49ers 3, Bills 0

8:30 p.m.: The Niners are showcasing verve on the ground, with both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason collecting first downs. San Francisco has brashly breached into the red zone. It’ll need to find its footing in red zone play. Perhaps George Kittle will get involved?

8:26 p.m.: San Francisco’s defense holds firm on its first possession of the game. The Niners force a three-and-out to set San Francisco up in fairly ideal position to start the affair.

8:15 p.m.: It’s wet. It’s wild. And we’re off! Jake Moody sends one deep and the game has begun! The Bills will possess the ball first.

7:45 p.m.: Purdy is back under center for the Niners. His return could prove the difference for a San Francisco side that finds itself on the outside looking in of postseason contention.

7:15 p.m.: Plenty of madmen on the field for tonight’s contest, including one Dawson Knox, who decided to pull up to warmups sporting a sleeveless muscle tee. Here’s hoping his skillset is as resilient as the cold seems to be.

7:05 p.m.: And here’s how the Bills are looking for Sunday night’s contest. Keon Coleman will be sidelined for the third straight week after absorbing a wrist ailment.

7:00 p.m.: Tonight’s inactives are starting to bubble up across social media. Here’s a look at those missing out on the action for the Niners, who will bring Brock Purdy back into the fold after a brief absence:

6:45 p.m.: Winter may have swallowed up Highmark Stadium. It doesn’t seem that bothers Mack Hollins too much. The Bills pass-catcher recreated his classic pre-game routine — bare feet and all — atop the tundra-like surface.

6:30 p.m.: In case you’re wondering, it’s a winter wonderland here at Highmark Stadium.

49ers vs. Bills start time

• Date: Sunday, Dec. 1
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

For the first time this year, Sunday Night Football will be live from Highmark Stadium when the Bills host the 49ers at 8:20 p.m. ET.

The game will mark Buffalo’s fourth game under the lights this season. The Bills earned a 31-10 win in Miami on Thursday night in Week 2, then followed that up with a 47-10 home win over Jacksonville in an early Monday night game back in Week 3. Buffalo was back on “TNF” in Week 6 when it took down the Jets 23-20 in New York.

San Francisco has played in two night games, winning its Week 1 Monday night matchup vs. the Jets (32-19) and its Week 6 Thursday night tilt vs. the Seahawks (36-24).

What channel is 49ers vs. Bills on today?

• TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN 1/3/4/5, CTV (Canada)
• Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)

NBC will once again have the call for Sunday Night Football, giving viewers the option to stream on Peacock. For those who don’t have access to NBC or Peacock, Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users, is another streaming option available.

STREAM: Watch 49ers vs. Bills live with Fubo (free trial)

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