INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a thrilling contest that kept their playoff hopes alive, the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, clinched a nail-biting 24-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen’s standout performance, marked by two rushing touchdowns and one passing, was pivotal in the Bills’ late-game triumph, sealed by Tyler Bass’s 29-yard field goal with just 28 seconds left on the clock.
Allen’s achievements this season have been historic. He became the first NFL player to record four consecutive seasons with at least 40 combined touchdowns and is the second quarterback to amass 50 career rushing scores. Despite these milestones, Allen’s focus remains firmly on steering the Bills back into the playoffs.
The Bills, now at 9-6, have seen a resurgence, winning four of their last five games. This victory was particularly significant, as Buffalo’s playoff chances were boosted earlier in the day by Pittsburgh’s win over Cincinnati. With Indianapolis and Houston both holding tiebreakers over Buffalo, the path to the playoffs remains challenging but achievable.
Buffalo’s comeback from a 10-0 deficit highlights the team’s resilience under coach Sean McDermott, marking the fourth such comeback since his tenure began in 2017. However, turnovers nearly cost the Bills the game, as the Chargers, under interim coach Giff Smith, kept the contest competitive.
Cameron Dicker’s career-high five field goals and Easton Stick’s 210 passing yards kept the Chargers (5-10) in the hunt, despite their recent struggles. Stick, filling in for the injured Justin Herbert, managed to lead the Chargers to early leads and capitalized on a short field following a Bills’ fumble.
For Buffalo, key plays on the final drive, including a crucial 15-yard reception by Khalil Shakir, set up the game-winning field goal. Allen, leading the league with 40 total touchdowns, combined his rushing prowess with effective passing, notably connecting with Gabe Davis for a 57-yard touchdown.
The Chargers’ Stick, making only his second NFL start, completed 23 of 33 passes and added a rushing touchdown. Despite his efforts, the Chargers could not sustain their early momentum, partly due to the Bills’ tenacious play.
Injury concerns were evident for both teams. The Bills saw linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety Damar Hamlin leave the game temporarily, while key players like Ty Johnson, Micah Hyde, and A.J. Epenesa were inactive. The Chargers were without wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive back Deane Leonard due to heel injuries.
Running back James Cook’s performance was a bright spot for the Bills, as he became the first Buffalo running back to cross the 1,000-yard mark since LeSean McCoy in 2017.
Looking ahead, the Bills host New England on December 31 in a crucial matchup, while the Chargers face Denver on the same day. As the regular season draws to a close, the Bills’ playoff aspirations hinge on maintaining their winning momentum and overcoming the challenges posed by their upcoming opponents.
