49ers frozen in Buffalo: Rapid reactions

Well, that wasn't fun. The San Francisco 49ers looked like they were cooking early in the game, but eventually, the Buffalo Bills cooled them off and the frozen 49ers returned, losing 35-10. Sadly, the game wasn't even that close. The Bills put in their backups and the 49ers still had trouble stopping them. It's hard to say what's worse: the offense, the defense, or the special teams. They all had a hand in this loss.

Here are my rapid reactions. These are my live observations as the game unfolded. I apologize for the many negative thoughts in this piece. Unfortunately, the 49ers aren't giving us many positive things to say. (Yes, I'm blaming them.)

• Nice coverage for the 49ers kickoff team to start the game. Sadly, I notice when special teams do something right because we're so used to them messing up.
• And a nice start for the 49ers defense. Three and out. Let's see if the offense can get something going on this snowy field.
• Christian McCaffrey looks like his old self on this opening drive. He looks quick and determined.
• An excellent opening drive died in the red zone again. It ends with a field goal from Jake Moody. Some Bills fan tried to hit Moody's kick with a snowball. That was entertaining.

• It's early, but the run defense is much better.
• Another game. Another big hit by Malik Mustapha.
• I may have spoken too soon about the run defense. Buffalo's second drive has been a long one.

• McCaffrey going down on his own like that is not good. I hope he's okay.

• The 49ers' second drive of the night started well, but McCaffrey's injury halted it. The drive ends with a Moody missed field goal. San Francisco cannot afford to get behind in this one.
• Yeah, about that 49ers run defense being better tonight. I was wrong. Ji'Ayir Brown took a bad angle and missed a tackle at the line of scrimmage. No one caught James Cook. That was way too easy for the Bills.

• Jordan Mason is picking up where McCaffrey left off. I love watching him run.
• This offense has been horrible on third and long all season.
• Jake Brendel is terrible, by the way. But you already knew that.
• Fred Warner is currently not in the game. Without Nick Bosa and Deommodore Lenoir, the 49ers are now missing their best three players on defense, and their best two players on offense.
• Brown has taken a step back this season. He's hurting this defense.
• Warner is back in. That's a relief. That guy is so tough.
• With all due respect to Charvarius Ward, he's struggling tonight. And it's hard to fault him. His mind is probably elsewhere.
• Moody missed a 55-yarder. But that was a very difficult kick in this weather. Kyle Shanahan isn't doing him any favors by asking him to make these long kicks in the snow.
• Huge kickoff return for Deebo Samuel. This time, there are no flags.

• Jauan Jennings consistently makes big catches.
• Somehow the 49ers screw up in the red zone again. Kyle Juszczyk fumbles the ball at the goal line and the Bills scoop it up for a big return. This is maddening. The 49ers red zone offense: where good drives go to die.

• Of course, Jennings dropped a pass after I lauded his hands.
• And now George Kittle is dropping screen passes. Whoever stole the 49ers passing game, please give them back.
• Mustapha is everywhere. That was a great pass breakup, but I wonder if he could've picked it off.
• Wow, that was an impressive touchdown the Bills just scored. Great catch by Amari Cooper, pitch back to Josh Allen, and then he extends to the pylon. Good grief. The 49ers were never going to win this game. And that play is proof.

• If Mustapha would have intercepted the pass he broke up, this touchdown wouldn't have happened. But it probably doesn't matter.
• Good things happen when you get the ball to Isaac Guerendo in space. At least the 49ers aren't quitting.

• Purdy and a wet football. Not a good combination.
• I guess the special teams unit felt left out because Samuel just fumbled and gave the ball back to Buffalo.
• For the third straight game, Ricky Pearsall has been held without a catch. Is he not getting open or is Purdy simply not looking his way? Regardless, they need their first-round draft pick to step up.
• This is the first time the 49ers have lost by 25 points in back-to-back games since 2015. In case you've blocked the 2015 season out of your memory, that was the lone Jim Tomsula season.
• After the game, Shanahan said McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury. That's how this season has gone for the 49ers. You have to wonder what the 49ers running back room will look like in 2025. McCaffrey will be returning from the PCL and Achilles injuries. Mason is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, so the team has a good chance to bring him back. Elijah Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent, so he'll likely be gone.

Let's hope the 49ers can return to Santa Clara and warm up before they host the Chicago Bears next week. And for those expecting San Francisco to dominate the Bears, I don't expect this team to dominate anyone. And keeping with the theme of the season, where the 49ers are consistently at a rest disadvantage, the Bears are coming off a mini-bye. They will have a new interim head coach and may be ready to play. This is far from a guaranteed win for the 49ers.

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