Snow began to fall as Doug Flutie led the charge to kick off Sunday Night Football at Highmark Stadium. Matt Milano was announced with the starting defense for the first time in 14 months. Nothing could have set a more perfect stage for the Buffalo Bills to secure their fifth straight AFC East Championship.
Unfortunately, the Bills offense wasn’t ready for the stage when it opened. They went three and out – with the help of a missed facemask call on wide receiver Khalil Shakir and a huge false start on Dawson Knox.
A 48-yard punt by Sam Martin had San Francisco start their first possession on their own 37-yard line, but the 49ers started out looking like they understood the stage they were on as they moved the ball at will until they got inside the Buffalo 20.