The 49ers held on for a 10-3 road victory over the Buffalo Bills, marking the first win of the year for the 49ers against an opponent with a winning record.
"We're just very proud of the fact that we won the football game," said head coach Mike Singletary. "It was a tough, hard fought football game in a physical situation. But at the end of the game I just thought, weather-wise, the guys really handled themselves and really came through."
The offense looked sharp out of the gates with a 13-yard drive ended by an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Shaun Hill to Isaac Bruce. But as the weather turned wet and ugly, the offensive production essentially dried up, as the 49ers added only three points late in the first half on a 50-yard field goal by Joe Nedney, which was set up by a forced fumble by Joe Staley.
"The first drive was the only drive that we had where it wasn't wet," said Hill. "It was definitely a good thing we were able to get down there and get a touchdown because after that, the weather kind of changed and made things a little bit more difficult."
Fortunately, after shutting out the Bills in the first half, the 49ers defense continued to play solidly in the second. The unit came up with two huge stops inside the red zone that resulted in a field goal and a turn over on downs when pressure up front forced a JP Losman incompletion on a 4th and two play.
Then, following a big return by Roscoe Parrish that was aided by a penalty to set the Bills up at the 49ers 25-yardline, San Francisco's defense didn't budge. The Bills relied on a 40-yard field goal by Rian Lindell that hit the left upright and bounced out. It was his second kick of the afternoon that had met up with the left upright.
Following the missed field goal, the 49ers offense earned a first down to at least get into better field position before having to punt.
Backed up in their own territory, the Bills were held to a four and out series, allowing the 49ers to earn themselves their fourth victory of the season.
4th QUARTER SCORING SUMMARY
There was no scoring in the final quarter.
3rd QUARTER SCORING SUMMARY
Running back Marshawn Lynch charged up the middle, blew right by safety Michael Lewis and gained 50 yards on the ground before Takeo Spikes got him down at the 9-yardline. The defense then held, forcing the Bills to rely on a 22-yard field goal by Rian Lindell for their first points of the game. The 5-play drive covered 55 yards and ended with 8:54 to go in the quarter.
2nd QUARTER SCORING SUMMARY
Linebacker Patrick Willis stripped the ball out at the end of a draw play by Marshawn Lynch. The loose football was recovered by Mark Roman at the Bills 41-yardline. With 16 seconds left in the half, Joe Nedney just got his 50-yard field goal over the crossbar to capitalize on the turnover.
1st QUARTER SCORING SUMMARY
captured a 7-0 lead over the Bills on their 13-play, 72-yard opening scoring drive. The 49ers converted on four third plays to drive the distance, with quarterback Shaun Hill eventually finding a wide open Isaac Bruce for an 11-yard touchdown. The drive lasted 8:09.
Starting cornerback Walt Harris will play today, despite being hampered some this week by a hamstring. However, wide receivers Arnaz Battle and Josh Morgan won't go today, as both are on the 49ers list of inactives.
Here's the complete list for San Francisco… QB Jamie Martin (3rd QB), RS Allen Rossum, CB Reggie Smith, S Dashon Goldson, C Cody Wallace, T Jacob Bender, WR Arnaz Battle, WR Josh Morgan
Linebacker Patrick Willis was the only injury reported post-game. Willis apparently bruised his ribs, but finished out the game to lead the 49ers in tackles.*
