1) The defense got lit up
Josh Allen completely dismantled the defense of the 49ers tonight. There was very little pressure and Allen took advantage.
Robert Saleh's unit could not get a meaningful stop after recovering a fumble in the first quarter. Josh Allen was able to make nearly every throw and there wasn't anything the defense was able to do to stop it.
Some of this has to fall on Saleh as it appeared the defense was determined to stick with rushing four and playing zone. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that we finally saw some blitzes.
All in all, it was just a disaster of a night for the defense.
2) The offense was off-balance much of the game
Throughout the second and much of the third quarters, the offense was largely ineffective. After taking a 7-0 lead, it appeared to be sleepwalking as the offensive line was not able to clear the way for Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel received almost zero touches, and Nick Mullens was ineffective on third down.
The offense was able to get it together when Mullens hit Brandon Aiyuk deep for 49 yards to the Buffalo 6. Kyle Juszczyk scored on the next play to cut the lead to 27-17. The defense, of course, could not stop the Bills and down 34-17, Mullens first was a little off-target on what should have been a touchdown to Kendrick Bourne, but was inches short because the ball was not thrown outside. Mullens then botched the quarterback sneak (for the second time this season) and then threw an interception at the 2. Game over.
Just a hugely frustrating night.
Extra points
- Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle got good news but their returns are still set for Week 16 against the Cardinals.
- Josh Allen finished 32-40 for 375 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. This game was on the defense.
- Dion Jordan had a nice sack and forced fumble.
- Javon Kinlaw played well with 6 tackles and a couple pressures.
- D.J. Jones suffered what is probably a high ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return.
Next up is Washington in a must-win game against Alex Smith.