Snow fell in Buffalo and so did the San Francisco 49er’s chances of a shot at the playoffs.
The 49ers’ upset bid had life up until running back Christian McCaffrey left with a yet-to-be-specified knee injury on their second drive.
The 49ers (5-7) are alone in last place in the NFC West for the first time since the 2020 season ended. On the heels of this defeat and last Sunday’s 38-10 rout in Green Bay, the 49ers return to Levi’s Stadium to host NFC North doormat Chicago (4-8) next Sunday at 1:25 p.m. in the Bears’ first game under interim coach Thomas Brown.
Last season, the 49ers overcame a three-game skid last season en route to the Super Bowl. This season’s much-maligned team has much less time with much greater injury issues. Five games remain to reverse course and chase down NFC West foes Seattle (7-5), Arizona (6-6) and Los Angeles (6-6).
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills talks with Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers after the Bills defeated the 49ers, 35-10, at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, bottom, during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) A vies of the field at Highmark Stadium three hours before the San Francisco 49ers NFL game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Dec. 1, 2024. (Cam Inman/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy pitches the ball back during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) A San Francisco 49ers fan stands between snow covered seats before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the 49ers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Taylor Rapp #9 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, bottom right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) A.P. PhotoJordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Matt Milano #58 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Football fans cheer during the third quarter of a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Mack Hollins #13 of the Buffalo Bills catches a touchdown against Charvarius Ward #7 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills breaks a tackle by Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers before running in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Isaac Guerendo #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Fans watch during the second half of an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills breaks a tackle by Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers as he runs in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) dives forward during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Fans of the Buffalo Bills cheer during the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) Jordan Phillips #97 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of a game at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Getty ImagesJosh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and head coach Sean McDermott make snow angels while being interviewed after the Bills defeated the the San Francisco 49ers, 35-10, at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
