‘The Bills sure didn’t look ready to play in the first quarter. Such a flat start was quite a disappointment. Coach Sean McDermott has to own some of that, but so, too, do the players. They are professionals who should be self-motivated. McDermott, not surprisingly, took an aggressive approach going up against an inexperienced quarterback. Sometimes, the blitz failed to get home, but in key moments, McDermott schemed up enough pressure. Los Angeles scored 16 of its 22 points off Buffalo turnovers. Interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady was able to call up the right plays when it mattered most at the end. It was far from the offense’s best showing, but a win is a win at this point in the season. McDermott stuck with Cook and Harty after they had lost fumbles, in a show of confidence. The team seems to have an issue with penalties snowballing against them (seven for 64 yards). That is on the coaches to clean up.’
Archives for December 2023
Bills escape Chargers with ugly win: 5 observations from huge victory for playoff push
‘Look, any game on the road is tough in the NFL, so the Bills finding a way to win on a night when they were certainly not at their best was impressive. But they’re going to need to be better than this, and yes, that includes against the Patriots on New Year’s Eve if they hope to go to Miami with a chance to win the AFC East.’
Bills report card: Buffalo survives Chargers 24-22 with season on the line
‘There were some things the Bills needed to overcome in this game, and they answered the call. That was impressive, especially with their season on the line.’
Bills avoid Nightmare Before Christmas, beat Chargers in final 2 minutes (Observations)
‘The Bills eventually figured things out and took the lead before halftime but that’s when things got interesting. The offense couldn’t pull away and the Chargers kept hanging around. They took the lead on a late field goal and the Bills needed to drive and score to take the lead back late.’
Christmas comes early for young Bills Mafia member thanks to Josh Allen
‘Following Buffalo’s 24-22 nail biter over the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen ran to a section of Bills fans in attendance at SoFi Stadium. The quarterback spotted a young fan donning his jersey and a Bills Santa fan. Allen pointed him out in the crowd before jumping up and giving the player his hat. Based upon the reaction of the young fan, it’s going to be difficult for St. Nick to give him a better present this year.’
Bills save Christmas, hold on for sloppy win over lowly Chargers
‘Another tortuous performance put forth by Buffalo, for once, ended in triumph, with Tyler Bass’ 29-yard field goal soaring through the uprights to give the Bills a 24-22 lead with 28 seconds remaining of Saturday’s primetime matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.’
Seven Takeaways: ‘Allen Experience’ pays off, Davis reappears, Oliver earns paycheck in Bills’ wild win over Chargers
‘It was not a banner night for the Buffalo offense nor its defense, which allowed Los Angeles to gain 18 first downs — two more than the Bills’ offense — and backup quarterback Easton Stick to show flashes of high-level quarterback play. It was Stick’s second career start and LA’s first game performing under the leadership of interim head coach Giff Smith, and they pushed the surging Bills to the brink. The same team, albeit with a different head coach, allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to score 63 points one week prior.’
Ed Oliver’s fourth-quarter sacks deliver further justification in Bills offseason contract extension
‘The reality, though, is that Oliver isn’t just popping up around the holidays anymore. He’s been Buffalo’s most consistent, and perhaps best, defensive player this season, his first after being awarded a four-year $68 million contract extension over the summer.’
Sabato: The Bills are plenty talented, but are they consistent enough for a deep playoff run?
‘But beating an inferior opponent late in the game, needing to come from behind because of an abysmal start to the game makes those games harder than necessary.’
Sunday’s Los Angeles Coverage
Bills ruin Chargers’ valiant spoiler effort with late kick (Los Angeles Times)
Chargers’ 24-22 loss to the Buffalo Bills by the numbers (Los Angeles Times)
Chargers get the boot after surrendering a late lead to the Bills (Orange County Register)
Nick Canepa’s report card: Chargers fight, coaching improves in loss to Bills (San Diego Union Tribune)
Chargers start strong, show fight under interim coach Giff Smith before another heartbreaking loss (AP)
Chargers Can’t Hold on Late Against Buffalo (Chargers.com)
5 Takeaways: Bolts Show Fight, Togetherness in Week 16 (Chargers.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Chargers.com)
Photo gallery 2 (Chargers.com)
Photo gallery 3 (Chargers.com)
Photo gallery 4 (Chargers.com)
Photo gallery 1 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 2 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 3 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 4 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 5 (BuffaloBills.com)
Photo gallery 1 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery 2 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery 3 (Buffalo News)
Photo gallery (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Josh Allen accounts for 3 touchdowns as Bills escape with 24-22 victory over Chargers
‘Bass’ go-ahead kick capped a 13-play, 64-yard drive that included Allen’s 15-yard completion to Khalil Shakir on third down.’
Buffalo Bills drill last-minute field goal to stay hot against Los Angeles Chargers
‘L.A. had some motivation with it being their first game since firing Brandon Staley following their 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and they were mere minutes from what many believed would’ve been an improbable victory. But Josh Allen is still Josh Allen, and the Bills came away with a 24-22 victory.’
Bills boost playoff chances with late victory vs. Chargers
‘The Chargers, playing their first game since firing coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco last week, got five field goals from Cameron Dicker and briefly took the lead late in the fourth quarter. But a Tyler Bass field goal with 28 seconds left sealed the win for Buffalo.’
Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen finds Gabe Davis for 57-yard touchdown
‘The touchdown pass was thrown 38 air yards downfield, Allen’s longest such score of the season.’
Chargers vs. Bills score: Josh Allen and Gabe Davis help Buffalo survive L.A. for third straight win
‘This was a sloppy outing from Buffalo, as the Bills lost the turnover battle 3-0, and lost the time of possession battle while committing seven penalties for 64 yards. Allen completed 15 of 21 passes for 237 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and also added 15 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. James Cook rushed 20 times for 70 yards, but also fumbled twice, losing one which directly led to the Chargers taking the lead late in the fourth quarter. Gabe Davis had a big outing with 130 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions, while Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 29 yards.’