Inglewood, Calif. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills kept up with their winning ways, and strengthened their postseason hopes on Saturday night with a gritty 24-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Southern California.
It was Josh Allen leading the way for Buffalo with 252 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tyler Bass kicked the go-ahead 29-yard field goal in the game's waning moments to help the Bills improve to 9-6 on the 2023 season.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Bills were only able to muster one first down on the game's first possession before being forced to punt.
The Chargers fared much better on their opening possession.
Quarterback Easton Stick, a 2019 fifth-round draft pick making his second-career start, orchestrated a 13-play, 90-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard field goal by kicker Cameron Dicker, giving the Chargers the early 3-0 lead.
The following Bills drive saw the same result as their previous drive, one first down and then a punt.
The Bills defense stepped up on the ensuing possession, forcing the Chargers offense backwards two yards on four plays and forcing a punt.
However, a Deonte Harty fumble on the subsequent runback gave the ball right back to the Chargers in Bills territory.
The Chargers cashed in the turnover for six, as Stick called his own number from one yard out for the rushing score.
After both teams exchanged punts, the Bills finally found the end zone for the first time, and offense only need one play to get on the scoreboard.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was able to roll out to his right and connect with wide receiver Gabe Davis for a 57-yard touchdown, bringing Buffalo to within three points with 9:02 left in the second quarter.
The Bills defense held Stick and the Chargers offense to another punt after a seven-play drive, setting themselves up for one final drive heading into the late stages of the first half.
The following drive saw the Bills lean heavy on the run. Six of the eight plays on the drive were runs, including the culmination of the drive, as Allen ran it in from two yards out to put the Bills on the high side, 14-10, heading into halftime.
The second half got off to a strong start for the Bills defense, as the Chargers were forced to punt after five plays thanks to a third down sack by defensive back Rasul Douglas.
The same could not be said for the Bills offense. Their first drive of the second half ended prematurely, as Allen's second down pass intended for Stefon Diggs deep over the middle was intercepted by Chargers defensive back Alohi Gilman.
The Chargers, once again, made good on the turnover, as Dicker hit a 40-yard field goal after an eight-play, 41-yard drive to cut the Bills' lead to one point.
The Bills had an answer, though.
After two back-to-back chunk plays in the passing game - a 16-yard completion to Khalil Shakir and a 36-yard long ball to Davis down the left sideline - the Bills were able to capitalize on the goal-to-go situation. This time, it was Allen adding his second rushing tally of the evening on a quarterback sneak to cap off the 10-play, 75-yard drive.
The Chargers responded with a scoring drive of their own, albeit another field goal, as Dicker converted on his third field goal attempt from 47 yards out to make the score 21-16, Bills.
After forcing a three-and-out of the Buffalo offense on its next drive, the Chargers added another three points courtesy of Dicker, as he ended a shorter drive for Los Angeles with a 45-yard field goal to cut the deficit to two.
The Chargers were gifted the ball back deep in Bills territory after the first play of the next Bills drive. Second-year running back James Cook coughed up the football, which resulted in the third Bills turnover of the game at the Buffalo 32-yard line.
The defense stood strong, only allowing the Chargers to muster a single yard out of four plays. Terrel Bernard picked up a third down sack to push the Chargers back to the Buffalo 35-yard line.
It made no difference to Dicker, though, as he hit his fifth field goal of the evening, this time from 53 yards out, to put the Chargers back on top for the first time since the second quarter.
With 5:26 left in the game, the Bills ended up going on a long 13-play drive to help set up Bass to kick the go-ahead field goal from 29 yards out to put the Bills up, 24-22 with just 28 seconds to go.
The Chargers had one final chance to try and retake the lead with no timeouts, but failed to do so, sealing the much-needed victory for Buffalo.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 3-0 LOS ANGELES: Chargers field goal (6:32) - Cameron Dicker's 20-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 13 plays, 90 yards, 6:40
Second Quarter:
- 10-0 LOS ANGELES: Chargers touchdown (13:49) - Easton Stick rushes right for a 1-yard touchdown .(Cameron Dicker's extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 4 plays, 27 yards, 1:15
- 10-7 LOS ANGELES: Bills touchdown (9:02) - Josh Allen passes deep right to Gabe Davis for a 57-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 1 play 57 yards, 0:10
- 14-10 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (0:38) - Josh Allen rushes to the right for a two-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:51
Third Quarter:
- 14-13 BUFFALO: Chargers field goal (7:22) - Cameron Dicker's 40-yard field goal is good.
Drive Info: 8 plays, 41 yards, 4:46
- 21-13 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (1:28) - Josh Allen rushes up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:54
Fourth Quarter:
-21-16 BUFFALO: Chargers field goal (12:36) - Cameron Dicker's 47-yard field goal is good.
Drive Info: 11 plays, 46 yards, 3:52
-21-19 BUFFALO: Chargers field goal (7:19) - Cameron Dicker's 45-yard field goal is good.
Drive Info: 6 plays, 26 yards, 1:57
- 22-21 LOS ANGELES: Chargers field goal (5:26) - Cameron Dicker's 53-yard field goal is good.
Drive Info: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:44
- 24-22 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (0:28) - Tyler Bass' 29-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 13 plays, 64 yards, 4:58
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills (9-6) return home to host the New England Patriots next Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.