This game started out rough for the Buffalo Bills, and they were down by 3 points going into the 4th quarter. However, this game was the definition of realizing that it's not about how you start, but it's about how you finish.
Bills fans may not be feeling great about how the Bills won, but in the end, a win is a win. Buffalo picked up their third win to advance to 3-0 and send the Chargers back to California at 0-3. With their 24-16 win, the Bills are officially 1-0 in their Nickel City jersey era.
Despite the win, the Bills have a ton to clean up from this game in all different aspects. However, not everything went totally wrong for them either. Here are 8 instant takeaways from this win for the Bills (even though they didn't deserve it at times).
Takeaways from Bills' humbling win against Chargers
1.) Bills remain one of the most undisciplined teams
Penalties are still a major problem for the Bills. Coming into this game, they were penalized 15 times this season and they added 10 more in today’s game for a loss of 88 yards. It was on both sides of the ball, showing that the discipline with this team still has major questions.
One of these days, penalties are going to cost the Bills a game. Joe Brady has to get this problem under control.
2.) Turnovers almost cost the Bills
Buffalo had 5 turnovers in this game, which included James Cook’s first play of the game. Josh Allen had two interceptions and a fumble, and Dalton Kincaid also had a potentially costly fumble after a big catch in the third quarter. The Bills protected the ball well against Houston and Detroit, but it fell apart in today’s game.
The good news is that the Bills ended a streak that was a bad look for them. According to ESPN’s Nick Suss who covers the Bills, the last time that Buffalo had won a game with a -4 turnover differential was in 1997 against the Indianapolis Colts, in which Jim Harbaugh was the quarterback.
3.) Offensive line was horrendous
With a mixture of penalties (holding, false starts), Buffalo's offensive line did no favors for Josh Allen. There were plenty of times when the pocket collapsed within three seconds and the Chargers were able to capitalize to pressure or bring Allen down. After performing well in their last two games, the Chargers' defense surely humbled Buffalo's starting five upfront.
4.) Defense bailed out the offense throughout the game
The Bills' defense was the biggest concern for the Bills after their first two games, but today against the Chargers, they flipped the script and completely bailed out the offense. With Buffalo's turnovers, the defense only allowed 10 points off of those takeaways. This was a great bounce back game for Jim Leonhard and this defense.
5.) DJ Moore shouldn't have played today
Coming into this game, DJ Moore was a true questionable due to his AC joint sprain injury he sustained in Week 2. However, he suited up but you could easily tell that he was in pain and there were multiple times when he went off the field to get attended to because of the shoulder.
Yes, it's not long-term, but this is a long season. The Bills were better making him an inactive and letting him rest.
6.) Josh Allen looked completely lost at times
After playing like the MVP through his first two games, LA's defense made life absolutely miserable for Allen. While he managed to get into the endzone twice on the ground, he failed to record a passing a touchdown and he had two interceptions.
In addition, there were times when Allen took the sack rather than just throw it away. Again, no one is ever perfect. However, this is not a performance that we are used to seeing from Allen. He'll want to forget about some of his bad plays.
7.) C.J. Gardner-Johnson made the play when Buffalo needed it
The Chargers were driving in the 4th quarter, up 13-10, and it looked like they were going to pull off the upset. Then C.J. Gardner-Johnson came up big with a goaline interception that ultimately switched the momentum in the Bills' favor. Off of that interception, the Bills managed to take advantage of it and get into the endzone to take the lead for the first time.
Without Gardner-Johnson's big play the Bills most likely would have lost this game.
8.) James Cook rebounded after opening fumble
On the very first play of the game for the Bills, Cook was given the ball and he fumbled it away to the Chargers. LA capitalized on that turnover and went up early on the Bills. Luckily, Cook didn't let it affect him as he finished this game with 154 yards and a touchdown that officially put the game away.
Again, it's not about how you start, but how you finish. Cook had a bad start, but he finished strong which is all that matters.
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