McGahee, Buffalo destroy San Francisco

Mon., Dec. 27, 2004

Greg Beacham Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Willis McGahee’s knee felt pretty good after all — and after flattening the pathetic 49ers, the Buffalo Bills were feeling great about their playoff chances.

McGahee rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on an injured knee, Lee Evans caught two scoring passes and the Bills easily earned their sixth straight victory, 41-7 over San Francisco on Sunday.

Drew Bledsoe went 21 of 32 for 172 yards and a touchdown for the Bills (9-6), whose longest winning streak since 1990 has them alive in their quest to become just the second team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting 0-4. Buffalo also clinched its first winning record since 1999.

From linebacker Takeo Spikes’ menacing tackles to Evans’ impressive catches, the Bills haven’t looked much better this season. They jumped to a 17-0 halftime lead, holding San Francisco to 83 yards.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

McGahee, Buffalo destroy San Francisco

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Mariners’ Bryce Miller stumps Tigers with six shutout innings

Victor Wembanyama discovering road to glory is paved with hard lessons, heartbreaks

A magical end to a dream Knicks season seems all but certain now