The San Francisco 49ers dropped another game Monday, losing at home to the Buffalo Bills, 34-24. San Francisco had no answer for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who finished with 375 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The Niners, who have lost four of their last five games, fell to 5-7 and remain last in the NFC West.
“Every game for them right now is a must-win game,” NBC Sports 49ers reporter Jennifer Lee Chan said on After Hours with Amy Lawrence. “Losing to the Bills is going to be a tough one for them to overcome. It seems like every game there [are] more injuries, and every game is a must-win situation for them.”
Indeed, the Niners, who last year played for a Super Bowl, have been ravaged by injuries this season. Their leading rusher, Raheem Mostert, has 388 rushing yards in six games. Their leading pass-catcher, Brandon Aiyuk, has 541 receiving yards in nine games.
“You’re missing your franchise quarterback, [Jimmy Garoppolo] and the top playmaker on the offense, George Kittle,” Chan said. “And then on defense, they’re missing Nick Bosa, who [was] Defensive Rookie of the Year last year. Having those top three guys out really has done a number for this team. It’s amazing that they are still able to compete at any level when you really look at it.”
The Niners play a pair of NFC East teams over the next two weeks. They host Washington (5-7) this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, and they play the Cowboys (3-8) in Dallas on Sunday Night Football on Dec. 20.