Orchard Park, New York (WGR) – The Buffalo Bills came back from a rough start to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 on Sunday and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Here are my contest up and down arrows, starting Up for a third straight week:
UP ARROW
- Defense stops when needed
The Bills defense was put in tough situations because of the offense, but managed to keep the team in it with a few key stops, including holding the Chargers to a field goal after starting at the Bills 43-yard line and throwing an interception at the goal line. After an opening touchdown, Los Angeles couldn’t find the end zone for the rest of the game.
Rousseau collected his fifth and sixth sacks of the season, becoming the first Bills player to have at least six sacks in the team’s first three games, became the first player to open a season with two or more sacks in three consecutive games, and third player in NFL history to have three consecutive games of at least two sacks at any time, joining Mark Gastineau and Kevin Greene. Rousseau collected eight total tackles and added four QB hits.
The rookie was put to work after Christian Benford left with a toe injury. He saw time before that, but had to play a big role as the game progressed and finished with five total tackles and a pass breakup.
The veteran threw an absolutely monstrous interception when the Bills needed it most, right on the goal line, to not only prevent a potential Chargers touchdown, but also bring the ball back to the Bills 42-yard line. He also had two assists and five total tackles.
- James Cook………after the first play
Cook fumbled on the very first play of the game. But by the time the zeroes appeared on the clock, he had rushed for 154 yards on 24 carries, an average of 6.4 yards per carry.
Johnson was huge when the team needed him in the passing game, catching 4 passes for 50 yards.
As mentioned, the Bills defense came up with some big stops. The Chargers were just 1 of 4 (25%) scoring touchdowns once inside the Buffalo red zone.
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DOWN ARROW
I couldn’t imagine a worse start for the Bills offense. James Cook fumbled on the very first play, Josh Allen threw two interceptions and they only scored ten points.
Allen hasn’t been sharp, connecting on just 16 of 26 passes (61.5%) for just 204 yards and throwing two interceptions. He also lost a fumble.
- James Cook on the first play
Cook fumbled the ball on the first play of the game. This gave the Chargers the ball in Bills territory, and they scored a touchdown eight plays later.
- Dalton Kincaid’s escape
Kincaid made a great run after catch that would put the Bills in the Chargers’ red zone. But he had the ball too loose in his arm and he kicked it out. The Chargers recovered.
The Chargers sacked Josh Allen four times and added seven more quarterback hits. Allen wasn’t good enough, but he also wasn’t given enough time and space too often.
The Bills were called ten penalties for 88 yards, including one that took an interception off the board and others that extended Chargers drives.
Exit alcohol
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