The San Francisco 49ers were met with a winter snowstorm at Highmark Stadium in Week 13 as they battled it out with the Buffalo Bills. Light flurries were falling during pregame warmups, and shortly after kickoff, the field was covered with a fresh coat of snow. Inclement weather and a key injury to one of the team's biggest playmakers contributed to San Francisco's 35-10 loss.
Here are five takeaways from the 49ers vs. Bills game:
Quarterback Brock Purdy Returns to Action
The 49ers starting quarterback was back in action after sitting out the team's Week 12 contest due to a shoulder injury he suffered the week prior. With the snow falling heavily and the strong winds, the offense leaned heavily on their ground game. In a reduced passing attack, Purdy connected on 11-of-18 passing attempts for 94 yards.
Running Back Trio
The wind and snow in Week 13 had San Francisco leaning heavily on their ground game, and it was largely effective early. The one-two-punch of All-Pro Christian McCaffrey and third-year Jordan Mason moved the ball down the field well in the 49ers first two offensive series and got the unit into field goal-scoring position both times. The duo combined for 80 total yards from scrimmage in those first two drives.
McCaffrey suffered a knee injury and exited the game on the tail end of San Francisco's second offensive series and did not return to the game. He recorded seven carries for 53 yards on the ground and two catches for 14 receiving yards. Mason and rookie running back Isaac Guerendo split the running back responsibilities the rest of the way. Mason recorded 13 carries for 78 yards and Guerendo logged four rushes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Special Teams Breakdown
Kicker Jake Moody converted one of three field goal attempts in the first half. His 33-yard field goal capped off San Francisco's nine-play, 48-yard opening drive.
The special teams play of the night was wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 60-yard kickoff return to open up the second half. He set up the 49ers deep into Buffalo territory on the Bills 37 yard line.
Turnover Troubles
The 49ers had three fumbles in Sunday night's contest, all three of which were recovered by the Bills. San Francisco's defense was able to keep Buffalo from capitalizing on all but one of their extra possessions. The unit did give up an eight-yard rushing touchdown to Josh Allen on the second takeaway of the game.
Injuries of the Game
- Defensive lineman Kevin Givens suffered a chest injury in the second quarter and was labeled as questionable to return. He was later downgraded to out at the start of the third quarter.
- Running back Christian McCaffrey was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury after going down in the backfield on a rushing attempt in the second quarter. He was later downgraded to out at the start of the third quarter. In his postgame press conference, head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury.
- Linebacker Fred Warner was listed as questionable to return with cramps midway through the second quarter but returned to the field just before the two-minute warning of the first half.
- Running back Jordan Mason was evaluated for a concussion early in the third quarter and cleared to return to action.
