Bills top 49ers 34-24 for first MNF win since 1999, improve to 9-3 for second straight season

For the 3rd straight season, the Buffalo Bills are off to a 9-3 start. The Bills topped the San Francisco 49ers 34-24 Monday night in their first of two straight 8pm starts. With the win, the Bills still hold a one-game lead in the AFC East standings.

Game recap

Both defenses started off with big-time stops on fourth and goal at their own one-yard line. The Bills offense, trying to get things going late in the first, had a costly mistake after Zack Moss fumbled inside their own three-yard line. The 49ers capitalized plays later to take a 7-0 lead after the 1st quarter.

Allen wrapped up the 1st quarter and started the second with his arm, connecting with Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and Gabriel Davis on long completions. They finished the drive with Beasley's fourth completion of the game to tie things up 7-7.

After another big stand by the Bills defense gave the Bills the ball back pretty quickly and they once again stormed downfield to add onto their lead. After completing the fourth down conversion, Allen found Dawson Knox who leaped into the end zone for his second touchdown in as many games to put the Bills up 14-7. Thanks to a 37-yard field goal from Tyler Bass as time expired, the Bills took a 17-7 lead into the locker room.

The 3rd quarter hasn't been so kind to the Bills this season, but tonight was a different story. After the Bills defense held the 49ers to a field goal that made it a one-score game, the Bills responded. Allen found a wide open Isaiah McKenzie 23 yards downfield for their third touchdown of the game to make it 24-10. The Bills defense, once again, stepped up big after Micah Hyde intercepted Nick Mullens and set up the Bills offense inside their own five-yard line. Tyler Bass hit a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17. With the field goal, Bass reached 104 points this season, setting a new team record for the most points by a rookie/first-year player.

Starting the 4th quarter with a 27-17 lead, the Bills offense not only ate up some time on the clock, but put up points on their sixth straight drive. Josh Allen found a wide open Gabriel Davis in the end zone 28 yards down field to once again make it a three-score game. The 49ers, quickly and efficiently moved downfield to make it a two-score game, but it was Tre'Davious White coming up big with the interception to keep it a three-score game and give the ball back to the Bills offense.

The Bills were able to eat up some more clock, and despite giving up a late touchdown, were able to hold on for the 34-24 win.

By the numbers

Allen recorded his 5th 300+ yard game, finishing 32-of-40 for 375 yards, and four touchdowns. With his 26th completion of the game, Allen reached 293 completions on the season, marking the most in team history by a Bills quarterback through 12 games [set by Blesdoe in 2002].

While the Bills run game struggled to get things going, finishing with just 82 rushing yards, the pass game was efficient. In a game where seven different players caught passes, Cole Beasley recorded his fourth 100+ yard performance this season, finishing with nine catches for a career-high 130 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs finished with 92 yards and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the 3rd straight season.

Up next

The Bills return home to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1) in a Sunday night match-up. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m.