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09/27 15:45 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) --- Josh Allen scored two touchdowns rushing and the Buffalo Bills overcame a five-turnover outing to pull out a 24-16 victory over the winless Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Allen's second score, a 1-yard plunge with 7:35 left, gave Buffalo its first lead. The Bills then sealed the win on James Cook's 3-yard run four minutes later, and after Buffalo's defense forced Justin Herbert's incompletion on fourth down at the Chargers 45. Buffalo improved to 3-0 despite Allen's two interceptions and lost fumble. Cook and tight end Dalton Kincaid also lost fumbles. The problem for the Chargers was their inability to take advantage --- with three of Buffalo's turnovers occurring in Bills' territory. Los Angeles opened the scoring on Herbert's 1-yard shovel pass to Keaton Mitchell on a drive set up after Cook lost a fumble on Buffalo's first snap from scrimmage. And the Chargers built a 10-0 first-quarter lead on Cameron Dicker's 31-yard field goal that followed Allen's first interception. For much of the remainder of the game, the Chargers resembled the sputtering offense that opened the season being limited to 14 points per outing and combining for more punts (seven) and turnovers (five) than touchdowns (four) in its first two games. The 0-3 start is L.A.'s worst since opening the 2017 season with three consecutive losses. Buffalo, meantime, is 3-0 through three outings for the third straight year and fifth time in nine seasons under Allen. 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. Allen went 16 of 26 for 204 yards, while Cook finished with 154 yards rushing. Herbert finished 20 of 34 for 226 yards with a touchdown and interception, and rookie safety Genesis Smith had both interceptions. The outcome was decided after the Chargers settled for Dicker hitting a 33-yard field goal with 1:56 left, but were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick. The game featured numerous momentum swings, particularly in the second half after the Chargers took a 13-10 lead on Dicker's 21-yard field goal after their opening drive stalled at the Buffalo 3. The Bills followed by turning the ball over twice, starting with Kincaid getting the ball punched out of his arms at the Chargers 17. Allen followed with losing a fumble at his own 28 two plays into the fourth quarter. The Chargers once again failed to capitalize with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepting Herbert's attempt to Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the goal line. Gardner-Johnson's interception set up Allen's go-ahead touchdown to cap a 13-play drive that included Buffalo overcoming a second-and-26 because of a defensive holding penalty against cornerback Rodney Shelley.

Bad memories The previous time Buffalo turned the ball over three times on its first four possessions also happened against the Chargers in a 54-24 loss on Nov. 19, 2017. Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman, making his first career start, threw five interceptions in the first half --- four on Buffalo's first five drives. Buffalo's most recent five-turnover outing came in January in a 33-30 overtime loss at Denver in a divisional round playoff game.

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. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here

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