Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) – Buffalo Bills (9-6): 22-24
On the road to the playoffs, the Chargers, with an interim coach and without Justin Herbert, should only be a formality for the Bills. They will have given much more work than expected to Josh Allen (15/21, 237 yards, 1 TD, 1 int – 2 TDs on the ground) and his teammates.
Buffalo had to wait until there were only 28 seconds left on the clock to score the winning field goal. And even after that, a desperate lateral pass attempt had to be defended.
The Bills made things difficult by losing three balls, and Los Angeles dominated the time of possession. But the Chargers were too ineffective in the final yards to be able to create a surprise. They had to settle for five field goals for only one touchdown.
Gabriel Davis unlocks the Bills
From the start of the match, the Chargers' good intentions were there. Now led by interim Giff Smith, they forced Buffalo to punt three times in a row. Easton Stick (23/33, 215 yards – 7 races, 25 yards, 1 TD) leads his team 90 yards for the first field goal of the match (3-0), then scores himself on the ground (10-0) after the Bills lost the ball on a punt return.
We had to wait until the middle of the second quarter to see Gabriel Davis (4 rec, 130 yards, 1TD) emerge with a 57-yard reception and the first touchdown for his team (10-7). Quickly followed by another from Josh Allen. Buffalo leads 14-0 at the break.
Missed opportunities
After a defensive stop to start the second half, the Bills looked like they could pull away. But Josh Allen throws an interception, and the Chargers don't give up, coming back (14-13). Allen makes up for it by scoring again on the ground (21-13), but the Californians continue to hang on (21-16).
Especially since Buffalo continues to miss opportunities to break away. A punt, then a fumble from James Cook (20 races, 70 yards) in his half, and here are the Chargers who are back in front… but only with two field goals (22-21). Buffalo misses opportunities to break away, but Los Angeles misses opportunities to hurt.
Finally, Allen spent five minutes distributing the ball. Khalil Shakir (3 rec, 45 yards) converts a crucial third attempt, and the Bills go for the winning field goal.
With this victory, Buffalo temporarily places itself in sixth position in the AFC, more than ever in the race for the playoffs, with serious assets to put forward.
