Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills clinched their fifth-straight AFC East title by defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 35-10, on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down from the contest, once again starting Up for the seventh-straight week after their seventh victory in-a-row.
ARROW UP:
QB - Josh Allen
In some very tough weather conditions, Allen played like an MVP, continually making critical plays with both his arm and legs.
This included an incredible touchdown in the third quarter following a lateral he grabbed after completing a pass to Amari Cooper.
Allen finished 13-of-17 (76.4%) in the air for 148 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another 18 yards and a touchdown rushing. In addition, the lateral touchdown gave him a receiving touchdown, becoming the first quarterback ever to accomplish the "touchdown triple crown" in a single game.
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Offensive line
The Bills offensive line dominated the 49ers' front.
Allen was not only not sacked at all, but San Francisco was credited with just one quarterback hit the entire game.
Buffalo plowed through the snow for 220 yards rushing, 372 total yards and 6.6 yards per-play.
RB - James Cook
Cook took off on a 65-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter, and finished the contest with 107 yards on 14 carries, an average of 7.6 yards per-run. He added a 13-yard reception for 120 yards from scrimmage.
LB - Matt Milano
Milano played his first game since Week 5 of last season, missing close to 14 months after a leg injury, followed by a biceps injury.
He not only started, but played basically every first and second down, only really coming off the field in dime situations. Just his presence on the field alone was a big boost for the Bills defense.
Milano finished the contest with five total tackles.
DE - Greg Rousseau
Once again, Rousseau filled the defensive stat sheet, collecting four total tackles, three of those for losses, a sack, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery.
Ray Davis and Ty Johnson
Both Davis and Johnson played key roles in a punishing ground game for the Bills, with Davis running 11 times for 63 yards, an average of 5.7 per-rush. One of those was for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Johnson finished the 49ers off late with five carries for 28 yards, an average of 5.6 yards per-run.
TE - Dawson Knox
When the weather gets colder, Knox seems to heat up and get better.
The veteran tight end had two key receptions down the field, totaling 56 yards receiving, which was tied for a game-high.
Fumble caused by Taylor Rapp
With the score 21-3 early in the second half and the 49ers ready to punch the ball into the end zone, the Bills safety punched it out of the hands of San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who was at the one-yard line.
The fumble was recovered by Christian Benfor,d who returned it to the Bills' 48-yard line. A huge play to keep it a three-score game.
S - Cole Bishop
Bishop had two big plays on Bills’ kickoffs, including a forced fumble, giving the offense the ball at the San Francisco 31-yard line. He also had a big tackle on a return from Deebo Samuel when it looked like he had a lane to go much further.
Running game
The Bills ran for an outstanding 220 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per-carry.
K - Tyler Bass
Bass did miss a 49-yard field goal late, but in very tough wintry conditions, he also hit all five extra point attempts.
Third down offense and defense
The Bills offense converted 50% of their third down chances, going 6-for-12, while the defense held the 49ers to just 3-of-10 (30%).
Red zone offense and defense
Both sides of the ball were excellent in the red zone. The Bills scored on all four trips (4-for-4, 100%), while the 49ers converted just 1-of-3 trips inside the Bills' 20-yard line into a touchdown (33.3%).
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ARROW DOWN:
Run defense
It was tough for second and third-level defenders to get footing coming up against the run on both sides, and the 49ers also took advantage of that, running 27 times for 153 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per-run.
Kickoff coverage
The Bills gave up 34.7 yards per-kick return on six 49ers run backs. Deebo Samuel had returns of 60 and 43 yards!
Far too much.
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