Bills vs. Chargers game analysis: Buffalo overcomes real adversity

It wasn’t the prettiest day (starting with the new alternate uniforms, ugh) but the Buffalo Bills got the job done and beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 24-16. The Bills are 3-0 now, and 2-0 at their new home. I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind while this one played out live. Here are my n

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What is the story about?

It

wasn’t the prettiest day (starting with the new alternate uniforms, ugh) but the Buffalo Bills got the job done and beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 24-16. The Bills are 3-0 now, and 2-0 at their new home.

I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind while this one played out live. Here are my notes from the game, written as it happened.

1st Half

James Cook fumble issues
are becoming a real problem.
First defensive campaign also didn’t look good. Players were way too often out of position, pre and post-snap.
Chargers are getting pressure rushing just four. Far from ideal from Bills’ OL, especially the interior.
I don’t know what Josh Allen thought on that INT — he started his read on the other side of the field, but when he got to DJ Moore, the safety was sitting there, just waiting for the pass, and Josh still threw it. Weird. How could he not see the safety there? Hoped Moore would run an in instead of a post?
Penalties on D are a huge issue in this 1st qtr.
2nd qtr, and Josh forcing it deep to DJ Moore vs double team (maybe thought he had a free play? DL jumped early), another INT. How that ball didn’t touch the ground. Rookie Genesis Smith starts his career with 2 INTs so far. That’s why I always will prefer to give young talented players an opportunity instead of insisting with a guy like Damar Hamlin, who has shown his limitations often.
Cameron Dicker missing a field goal from inside the 50 isn’t very c’mon. Momentum builder?
Rough game for Josh so far. Huge missed opportunity in the red zone. Overthrew DJ when he had a one-on-one opportunity on the ground vs Tony Jefferson.
CJ Gardner-Johnson hurt himself trying a big hit on Keaton Mitchell. Missed tackle also allowed a 1st down when a more conservative wrap-up would have avoided the gain and the injury. CJGJ has been very underachieving after all the hype during camp.
Pass rush finally getting the job done with a sack by Greg Rousseau. Bills will get the ball back with a chance to tie. Can’t ask for more than that with the way they’ve played on offense. 3 TOs and still can tie? Sign me up.
2-minute drill and DJ Moore is so important. WRs not winning, and he’s the one Josh trusts.
Big play to Keon Coleman for 20+ yards and almost a TD. Great to see Josh recovering inside the game and even better to see Keon staying ready to contribute.
TD Bills, Josh with the Tush Push. Unstoppable.
Half-Time, 10-10. With the way the Bills started the game? It’s a win.

2nd Half

Christian Benford getting torched by Tre’ Harris to start the 2nd half. Slow start for Buffalo’s CB1 continues, this time not against a top-tier WR in the league.
3rd and 15, pressure got to Justin Herbert; secondary gotta do better. Dee Alford out of position there.
CJGJ INT in the end zone, nullified by Benford’s penalty. Oof.
New Highmark and Bills Mafia are certainly impacting the game here. 2 OL penalties, just 3 points for the Chargers here — another win.
Another great chance of taking the lead, another missed opportunity. A big play by Dalton Kincaid quickly became another blunder — opportunistic Chargers D forces another fumble. 4th Bills TO in the game.
Benford hurt, non-contact injury. Davison Igbinosun with a great play in man coverage next.
Deone Walker’s length created an INT opportunity, Alford couldn’t capitalize, but the D again did its job.
Rookie Akheem Mesidor dominates Dion Dawkins and sacks Allen. Chargers’ defense created problems for the Bills’ offense the entire afternoon, being able to contain the run from light boxes and getting to the QB with just 3 and 4 rushers.
Josh’s been uncomfortable all game, no easy completions, no lanes to run, pocket closing in on him with few rushers.
Something to check on all 22, but it looked like one of those games where Josh refused to take the check-downs, and the Chargers D took away the deeper routes with split safeties.
2nd sack in a row for the Chargers, and it’s a fumble.
When the Bills needed it the most, CJGJ made a huge play at the goal line. Big-time INT and once again, the D keeps the team in the game. It’s not always pretty, but this D has done its part in all 3 games so far.
Start of 4th qtr and Joe Brady tries something different — less under center, more shotgun, quick passes and even a QB run on 1st down. Previous plan wasn’t working, it was time.
Bills survive a 4th and 7 at the middle of the field, scores a TD on an Allen magical play, loses the TD due to a penalty. It’s the start of a festival of holding penalties by the Bills OL.
Chargers DB holds Coleman and saves the Bills from a 3rd and 27. 1st down Buffalo. What a crazy game, does anybody want to win it?
Under center run game works with Cook for a couple of plays, and Josh Allen scores on another Tush Push. Only Chargers TO becomes a Bills TD, the difference in this game. Bills had 5, and LA couldn’t always capitalize.
The defense stops the Chargers at the middle of the field the following drive. Deone Walker and Bradley Chubb sack Herbert on 2nd down. Chargers’ offense can’t get the job done.
It’s time for the offense to close the game out. Cook is finding lanes.
How in the world is it not a foul? Josh took a knee and gave up on the play; Tuli Tuipulotu punched it out after the play was clearly dead.
Another DJ Moore catch, this time on a crossing route and setting up a potential game-winning TD. What an addition.
James Cook TD at the goal line. 3:13 left. Ball game.
Bills D allows the Chargers to drive downfield, bends but doesn’t break. Allow an FG as we reach the 2-minute warning. Chargers will need an onside kick.
Keon Coleman recovers the onside kick. He obviously doesn’t have a big role on O right now, but it’s been positive how he’s been ready to contribute any time his number is called. Shows maturity, previously a concern.
Where’s the crowd of “you can’t win a game with 4 turnovers”? That’s what I talk about, you clearly can, as long as you take advantage of opportunities to get out of the field on defense and hold the opponent to FGs mostly, and in striking range. Bills’ defense could do it for the offense today, and the team was rewarded with a win, even though it was far from the best offensive performance.
Last week the team had a dominant performance, but it wasn’t always shown on the scoreboard. Today was the opposite — despite a lackluster performance, they were able to stay in it and win at the end. They won’t be able to play well every game, just find a way to win.