LeSean McCoy scores three TDs as Bills romp past 49ers 45-16

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - LeSean McCoy can finally come clean about the bitter feelings he once had toward 49ers coach Chip Kelly.

Yes, the Bills running back acknowledged he was stung by how Kelly, during his tenure coaching the Eagles, discarded McCoy by trading him to Buffalo in February 2014.

“To sit here and tell you that it didn’t affect me last year, I would be lying,” he said. “But I’m passed that.”

McCoy can put his emotions aside after getting his personal payback Sunday, when he matched a career high by scoring three touchdowns in a 45-16 win against the 49ers (1-5).

For McCoy, the 140-yard rushing performance was personal because it erased questions whether the NFL’s 2013 rushing leader had lost a step last year.

“I think this is the first year that I’ve really been doubted, as in, ‘Is this kid good or is he not good?’” McCoy said. “Yeah, it can definitely drive you.”

McCoy is on a roll having combined for 470 yards rushing and six touchdowns (including one receiving) over his past four games.

It’s a stretch that coincides with coach Rex Ryan firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman following an 0-2 start and promoting running backs coach Anthony Lynn.

The Bills (4-2) have won four in for the first time since opening the 2008 season 4-0. And their running attack is leading the charge. Buffalo’s 312 yards rushing against San Francisco was the fifth highest in team history.

The 49ers by comparison are struggling, even with Colin Kaepernick making his debut at quarterback after Blaine Gabbert was benched last week.

Kaepernick went 13 of 29 for 187 yards and a 53-yard touchdown to Torrey Smith. But the offense showed familiar sputters by settling for three field goals, giving the ball up on downs and six punts on drives that crossed midfield.

And Kaepernick can’t help the 49ers’ ongoing struggles in stopping the run. San Francisco’s run defense has allowed a combined 981 yards and nine touchdowns in its past five games.

“Yeah, it is embarrassing,” safety Eric Reid said.

NOTES

49ers starting running back Carlos Hyde missed most of the second half because of a shoulder injury. He finished with 14 carries for 52 yards.

Kelly didn’t have an update on the player’s status.

The Bills twice stopped the 49ers on fourth down, including a fourth-and-1 opportunity at Buffalo’s 40 with 4:35 left in the third quarter, and San Francisco trailing 17-13.