Game review

OFFENSE

The Nick Mullens’ lowlight recap for 2020 will include a two- play sequence in the fourth quarter in which he committed a false- start penalty on a snap less than a foot from the goal line and then threw an interception on the next play. Mullens finished 26- for- 39 for 316 yards and three TDs — but 78 yards and a TD came in garbage time. Brandon Aiyuk was solid ( five receptions, 95 yards and a TD) but the 49ers rushed for only 86 yards — largely because they were playing catch- up.

DEFENSE

Buffalo punter Corey Bojorquez wins this week’s “best job in the world” prize. One punt ( 68 yards) — with 3: 44 to play — and collect a check. The Bills scored on six consecutive possessions as the 49ers were shredded by Josh Allen: 32- for- 40 passing for 375 yards and four touchdowns; 130 of those yards went to Cole Beasley who — with 113 yards — already had a career high at halftime. And even when it looked good, it went bad for the 49ers: Richard Sherman’s illegal- contact penalty negated Fred Warner’s second- quarter interception and a roughing- the- passer call on Kentavius Street erased an incompletion on 2nd- and- 18; Buffalo went on to score TDs on both drives.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Robbie Gould — who made the winning field goal in the previous game against the Rams — connected on his only attempt Monday, a 45yarder, and made all three of his extra- point tries. Mitch Wishnowsky was solid: his first punt covered 54 yards and his second was fair caught at the 10. Richie James had only one kickoff return and got smacked down at the 49ers’ 19 after gaining only 13 yards.

COACHING

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s star was tarnished a bit, but the Bills’ offense is legit and the 49ers’ didn’t have the secondary to keep up with Beasley and Stefon Diggs ( 20 catches between them). A tad puzzling was the virtual absence of Deebo Samuel in the first half. He got more airtime during the pregame show for his Ice Cube- inspired nickname than he did in the first two quarters, during which he targeted with only one pass and had one rush for 3 yards.

OVERALL

The postseason heartbeat that was rediscovered with that dramatic win over the Rams is perilously close to going away for good. The 49ers next play Washington — hey, the WFT just toppled the previously unbeaten Steelers — and after a possible gimme against Dallas, finish with games against Arizona and Seattle. Sitting at 5- 7, a 6- 10 finish is a possibility. If only they played in the NFC East.