By Tim Graham, Joe Buscaglia and Matt Barrows

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Josh Allen threw a touchdown. He ran for a touchdown. Even him caught a touchdown.

On a snowy Sunday night in Buffalo, the Bills’ quarterback did a little bit of everything, leading his team to a 35-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers that prompted chants of “MVP” throughout Highmark Stadium. With the win, the Bills (10-2) clinched the AFC East for the fifth straight year – the longest streak in franchise history – with five regular season games remaining.

Allen passed for 148 yards and two touchdowns – the second of which was the play of the night. With Buffalo leading 21-3 and in the red zone, Allen completed a short pass to Amari Cooper and then received a lateral from his receiver as Cooper was tackled. The quarterback fended off a tackle, sprinted down the left sideline and dove into the end zone for a touchdown.

According to Stathead, Allen became the seventh player in the Super Bowl era and the first quarterback to throw, run and catch a touchdown in the same game.

This is the most ridiculous thing we’ve ever seen.

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– Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 2, 2024

A disappointing season just got worse for the 49ers (5-7). Running back Christian McCaffrey, who has played in just four games this season due to injury, suffered a PCL injury in the second quarter and did not return. Quarterback Brock Purdy, returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him last week, threw for just 94 yards in the inclement weather. And San Francisco fell two games behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.

The Bills, still one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs and the No. 1 seed in the AFC, travel to face the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. The 49ers host the Chicago Bears.

An MVP-level performance from Allen

What can’t Allen do? The molten MVP candidate scored three touchdowns on two plays in a span of 8:27 in the second half.

The big anomaly occurred with 5:58 left in the third quarter. He threw to Cooper in the left flat at the Niners’ 7-yard line. Three defenders crowded around Cooper and seemed content to wait for the whistle to advance. So Allen rushed over and asked for the ball. Cooper moved aside. Allen bypassed the three Niners and dove for the pylon. Officially, Allen received credit for the touchdown pass and a receiving touchdown reception, although not for the reception (which went to Cooper).

For fantasy football purposes, Allen generated TD points on both ends of the game.

Allen added his rushing touchdown on an 8-yard scramble 2:29 into the fourth quarter, giving Buffalo a 35-10 lead. With the game under control, Sean McDermott removed Allen, who appeared to have injured his left hand or wrist in the first half, and left Mitchell Trubisky to do the rest.

Allen also connected with Mack Hollins on a 7-yard touchdown 41 seconds before halftime. — Tim Graham, senior writer in Buffalo

Local bills dominate

The Bills’ rushing attack, led by leading edge runner James Cook, helped Buffalo take control of the game in the second quarter and lead the Wave to victory. Cook’s 65-yard touchdown run was a pivotal moment as it was the first play of a Bills drive when the team was only up 7-3. Cook ran for 100 yards in the first half alone, running with speed and power even in blowing snow.

LET JAMES COOK!!!!

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– NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024

But it wasn’t Cook alone. Rookie Ray Davis ran for 63 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. The rushing attack was controlled by the Bills’ outstanding offensive line, and even in a tough matchup against the 49ers’ defensive line, it was a statement play for the entire unit. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills beat writer

How Buffalo handled San Francisco’s offense

The 49ers were able to use the ball for some explosive plays early on, which contributed to scoring opportunities. However, the Bills defense deserves credit for leaving the field in crucial moments. It forced field goal attempts and turnovers and kept the pressure on the 49ers without allowing them to get comfortable.

This was another example of the Bills’ defensive identity in 2024. They allow some big one-on-one plays, but when opponents get close to scoring, the defense finds a way to get away from the field, usually with minimal impact. Additionally, they are healthy, and star linebacker Matt Milano has returned to the starting lineup after a 14-month absence. Things are looking good for the Bills defense. — Buscaglia

Injuries continue to mount for the 49ers

The 49ers’ season so far has been defined by which stars are missing from the lineup, and it’s never been as bad as it was on Sunday.

The contest began without Nick Bosa, Trent Williams and Deommodore Lenoir, all of whom were injured, and Brandon Aiyuk, Javon Hargrave and Talanoa Hufanga were on injured reserve for weeks. Then they lost McCaffrey, who had 53 yards on seven carries – including his two longest runs of the season – after he fell badly on his knee early in the second quarter.

The 49ers also played a stretch without Fred Warner, who struggled with cramps in the second quarter. It may not be a coincidence that Cook’s 65-yard touchdown run came on one of the plays that Warner missed. The 49ers gave up 220 rushing yards on Sunday, a week after allowing 169 yards in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. — Matt Barrows, 49ers beat writer

How San Francisco tried to replace its stars

One result of all the injuries and the blowout defeat: The rarely used 49ers saw a lot of action in the snow in Buffalo. That included rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, who got most of the carries after McCaffrey left the game in the second quarter and Jordan Mason was evaluated for a concussion. Guerendo scored a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter, his second touchdown of the season.

Other players who had the busiest games of the year for San Francisco included guard Ben Bartch, who replaced Aaron Banks (concussion), and nickel cornerback Nick McCloud, who replaced Lenoir (knee).

Warner had to briefly leave the game because of cramps, not the broken ankle he has suffered since Week 4. He was finally relieved by Jalen Graham late in the fourth quarter, but the disastrous nature of Sunday’s game only exacerbates the question: Should Warner continue playing? on the ankle when the 49ers clearly don’t look like a playoff team? — wheelbarrow

Required reading

(Photo: Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images)