The Buffalo Bills overcame five turnovers and a 10-point deficit Sunday afternoon, rallying past the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 at Highmark Stadium to remain unbeaten through three games.
Buffalo trailed 10-0 early and committed three turnovers in the first half before Josh Allen’s 1-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter pulled the Bills even. Allen gave Buffalo its first lead with another 1-yard touchdown run with 7:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.
James Cook then extended the advantage with a 3-yard touchdown run, finishing with 154 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Cook was the Bills’ primary offensive weapon despite losing a fumble on Buffalo’s opening play from scrimmage.
Allen finished 16-of-26 for 204 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. He added 22 rushing yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Buffalo’s defense repeatedly erased the damage created by the turnovers. C.J. Gardner-Johnson made the biggest play after Buffalo’s fifth giveaway, intercepting Justin Herbert at the Bills’ 1-yard line to end a potential Chargers scoring opportunity.
Greg Rousseau led the defense with eight tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss. Gardner-Johnson added five tackles, two pass breakups and the interception.
Herbert completed 20-of-34 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Los Angeles scored just one touchdown on four trips inside the red zone.
The Chargers cut Buffalo’s lead to 24-16 with a field goal with 1:56 remaining, but Keon Coleman recovered the ensuing onside kick. Cook then picked up 9 yards on third-and-six to secure the game-clinching first down.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Bills 24, Chargers 16 | Final Score, recap + highlights (buffalobills.com)
- Bills somehow overcome 5 turnovers to win. Bills vs. Chargers score, highlights, stats (democrat&chronicle.com)
- Buffalo Bills stock report: horns up/horns down vs. Los Angeles Chargers (buffalorumblings.com)
- Biggest Takeaways From Bills Ugly Week 3 Win vs. Chargers (si.com)
- Bills survive turnover disaster as C.J. Gardner-Johnson makes huge play vs. Chargers (syracuse.com)
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCES
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.