09/27/26 05:47:00
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09/27 17:45 CDT Allen, Bills outlast Chargers 24-16 despite committing 5
turnovers
Allen, Bills outlast Chargers 24-16 despite committing 5 turnovers
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) --- Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn't
miss a beat when asked if he'd ever been part of a win when his team commits
five turnovers.
"Yeah," the ninth-year player said, his eyes widening while breaking into a big
laugh. "Today."
Gardner-Johnson's interception of Justin Herbert's pass intended for Marquez
Valdes-Scantling at the goal line punctuated a defensive-driven win by bailing
out Josh Allen's sloppiness in a 24-16 victory over the winless Los Angeles
Chargers on Sunday.
The interception came three plays after Allen fumbled at his own 28. And it set
up the quarterback capping the ensuing drive with a 1-yard touchdown to give
the Bills their first lead with 7:35 left.
About four minutes later, and after the defense stopped Herbert on fourth down,
James Cook scored on a 3-yard run to secure the win.
"I'm used to this. I've been in two Super Bowl bowls, conference championships.
It ain't nothing new," Gardner-Johnson said.
"Teams like that, that ain't really been to the top, they don't how to finish,"
he said, referring to LA. "And we got the playmakers over here that know how to
finish. So, no disrespect. Just that's what it is."
Allen scored two touchdowns rushing and overcame an outing in which he also
threw two interceptions. And Buffalo is 3-0 for the third straight year and
fifth time in nine seasons under Allen.
The Chargers, meantime, opened with three losses for the first time since 2017,
and feature a listless, sputtering offense that lacks finish under first-year
offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Following up 26-14 losses to Arizona and Las Vegas, the Chargers managed a
touchdown and three field goals despite having six drives that ended inside the
Buffalo 30.
"We did not win the game. That's painful. That hurts," coach Jim Harbaugh said.
"There was a lot of opportunity. And we've got to capitalize on that. We have
to be better."
Harbaugh then pushed back on the suggestion of changes being required on
offense.
"I'm not singling out anybody. We win these games as a team, we lose as a
team," he said. "Not where we want to be. Only one way to correct it: Just keep
chipping away."
The Chargers have plenty to chip away at on an offense that through three games
has combined for more punts (10) and committed more turnovers (six) than scored
touchdowns.
The Chargers built a 10-0 lead off Buffalo's first two turnovers in the first
quarter, before being limited to two Cameron Dicker field goals. The outcome
was decided after Dicker hit a 33-yarder with 1:56 left, with Buffalo
recovering the ensuing onside kick.
The latest offensive dud spoiled a defensive effort in which the Chargers
limited Allen to 204 yards passing and being sacked four times.
Herbert finished 20 of 34 for 226 yards with a touchdown --- a 1-yard shovel
pass to Keaton Mitchell --- and interception, and rookie safety Genesis Smith
had both interceptions.
Allen's two touchdown runs upped his career total from scrimmage to 87 (85
rushing and two receiving) --- tying Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Andre
Reed for the team record. With six rushing TDs already, Allen joined running
backs Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson as the
only players to score six or more in each of their first nine seasons.
Cook led Buffalo with 154 yards rushing, while losing a fumble on the opening
snap. Tight end Dalton Kincaid also lost a fumble while battling for extra
yards in the third quarter at the Chargers 17.
Allen acknowledged the Bills may have stolen a win, while paying full credit to
Buffalo's defense.
"Sitting there to be tied at halftime felt like a dream, to be honest," Allen
said referring to the score tied at 10. "Our defense played fantastic. It's not
a game that you expect to win, but we'll take them any way we can get them."
The previous time Buffalo won when committing five or more turnovers in a game
came in a 37-35 victory against Indianapolis on Sept. 21, 1997.
Injuries
Chargers: CB Donte Jackson was ruled out after sustaining a concussion in the
first half.
Bills: CB Christian Benford went down with a toe injury late in the third
quarter.
Up next
Chargers: at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Bills: Close three-game homestand by hosting the New England Patriots on Sunday.
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