A matchup between two teams at opposite ends of the AFC playoff race, the Los Angeles Chargers traveled to Buffalo to battle the Bills on Sunday. A game that ultimately felt much closer than it was, Anthony Lynn‘s team fell behind by multiple scores early and could never recover. Nearly giving the game away in the final quarter, Josh Allen and the Bills offense turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions in their sloppiest stretch of play so far this season. Securing their second winning season in a row for the first time in 20 years, here’s how the Bills defeated the Chargers.
First Quarter
Receiving the ball first after the Bills won the opening coin toss and deferred, three straight incompletions by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert would lead to a punt. Moving the ball efficiently on their opening drive, after a short screen pass to running back Devin Singletary, Allen would heave a deep pass for wide receiver Stefon Diggs. After drawing a pass interference penalty on Los Angeles safety Rayshawn Jenkins on the play, Diggs would set the Bills up first and goal on their opponent’s five-yard line. Two plays later, a dart to tight end Dawson Knox in the back of the end zone would give Buffalo an early 7-0 lead. Trying to match the Bills early strike, running back Austin Ekler got the Charger’s next possession started with a five-yard burst on first down.
After an 11 yard reception by Keenan Allen, once again it would be Ekler scampering for 15 yards to bring his team into Buffalo territory. Looking for tight end Hunter Henry two plays later, Herbert’s pass would fall incomplete, leading to an important third down. Showing off his versatility as a receiver, Ekler would dart for a 14-yard catch and run to set his team up with first and goal from the Buffalo 8 yard line. After a five-yard catch by Henry, a strike to Allen on third and goal would bring his team to within one after a missed extra point by Michael Badgley. Following a series of punts by both teams, once again the Bills would extend their lead as the opening quarter concluded.
Second Quarter
Utilizing Singletary on the drive, a 14-yard reception would kick start the drive with Chargers defensive end Jerry Tillery also called for roughing the passer on the play. Carrying the ball for 21 yards on a draw on the next play, the second-year back would set the Bills up with first and ten from the Chargers 22 yard line. Scoring on a trick play, a double pass from Allen to Beasley would lead rookie wide receiver Gabriel Davis to catch his third touchdown pass of the season and extend the lead to eight. Continuing to struggle on their next possession, the Chargers would gain just 12 yards before being forced to punt.
Opening up their final drive of the half, back-to-back receptions by Davis and Beasley, followed by an unnecessary roughness penalty by linebacker Denzel Perryman set the Bills up to score again. After back to back rushes by Allen and rookie Zack Moss, the team would ultimately stall out in the red zone and settle for a 45-yard field goal by rookie Tyler Bass.
Third Quarter
Providing a spark on special teams to open up the second half, Buffalo return man Andre Roberts took the kickoff back 38 yards to set up his team with excellent field position at their own 43-yard line. Looking to get Diggs involved, the Bills offseason acquisition would catch four passes on the drive to set his team up in the red zone. Following a face mask penalty on Tillery, a three-yard touchdown run by Allen extended the Bills’ lead to 24-6. Finally able to answer back on their next drive, receptions of 13 and 9 yards by Henry, followed by a 33 yard run by running back Joshua Kelley, gave the Chargers the ball deep inside Buffalo territory. Finding the end zone two plays later, Kelley would jump over the pile to cut the Bills lead to ten after a two-point conversion pass from Herbert to Allen.
Gaining just one first down on their next drive, Allen would be sacked by Joey Bosa, forcing the Bills to settle for a Corey Bojorquez punt. Beginning the final drive of the quarter, a 13-yard catch by Mike Williams, followed by an unsportsmanlike penalty on Bills safety Jordan Poyer would set the Chargers up near midfield.
Fourth Quarter
Making a play on defense to open up the final 15 minutes of play, Buffalo stuffed Kelley on fourth and one to protect their ten-point advantage. However, the Bills’ offense would give the ball right back as Singletary fumbled the ball for the first time this season with Chargers safety Nasir Adderley punching it out. Looking to capitalize off the Buffalo turnover, a 13 yard run by Ekler, followed by a roughing the passer penalty on Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver would set the Chargers up to score. Totaling just two yards after three straight runs, the team would be forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Badgley to cut the lead to seven at 24-17.
Nursing a seven-point advantage, a 44-yard strike from Allen to Davis set the Bills up deep inside Los Angeles territory. However, miscues would cost the Bills points once again as a fumbled snap would be recovered by Bosa at his team’s 22-yard line. Failing to capitalize off another Buffalo turnover, the Chargers would go three and out after Oliver sacked herbert on third down. Turning it over for the third time in seven plays on their next drive, Allen’s ill-advised throw to Diggs after he was flushed out of the pocket would be easily intercepted by Chargers safety Michael Davis. Giving the ball right back to Buffalo after two quick plays, Herbert’s pass over the middle would be intercepted by Tre’Davious White to keep the Bills in front.
Hail Mary Magic
Chewing up yards on the ground as they looked to put the game away, runs of 31 yards and 24 yards from Moss and Singletary set the Bills up to add to their lead. Backed up by a holding penalty on Dion Dawkins, a 43-yard field goal from Bass gave the Bills a commanding 27-17 lead with 3:31 to play in regulation. Refusing to go away like they have all season, a 55-yard hail mary from Herbert to receiver Tyron Johnson on 4th and 27 would set the Chargers up with first and goal from the two-yard line. Only getting two plays off, the team was unable to find the end zone on the game’s final play to give the Bills a ten-point victory.
Highlights
Cole Beasley throws a TOUCHDOWN. #BillsMafia
📺: #LACvsBUF on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/bEHwkuL043 pic.twitter.com/KNOq857BCJ— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2020
.@JoshAllenQB takes it himself! #BillsMafia
📺: #LACvsBUF on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/bEHwkuL043 pic.twitter.com/fCvldCifak— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2020
Joshua Kelly on 4th & Goal!@Chargers pull within 10. #BoltUp
📺: #LACvsBUF on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/bEHwkuL043 pic.twitter.com/CQC82rwzWL— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2020
A Herbert Hail Mary. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/vgUtNkxfC4
— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2020
Looking to hold off the Dolphins in the AFC East, the Bills travel to San Francisco next Monday night to face the 49ers. Winners over the Rams on Sunday, Kyle Shanahan’s team will provide a major test for Josh Allen and company, making it an intriguing way to end week 13. Faltering down the stretch one again, the Chargers return home to take on the New England Patriots next Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
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