The Buffalo Bills are 3-0, but their latest victory was far from clean.
Buffalo overcame five turnovers and a 13-10 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 on Sunday. The offense struggled for much of the afternoon, but the defense repeatedly came through with big plays before the Bills finally pulled away late.
With Buffalo moving on to Week 4, here are two winners and two losers from the victory.
Winner: James Cook
Cook couldn’t have started the game much worse.
The Bills running back fumbled on Buffalo’s first offensive snap, giving Los Angeles an early opportunity that led to a touchdown.
He responded exactly how Buffalo needed.
Cook finished with 154 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging more than six yards per carry, His biggest play came late in the fourth quarter, when he broke loose for a 33-yard run that helped set up the Bills’ final touchdown.
The fumble was costly, but Cook’s ability to bounce back and become the focal point of Buffalo’s rushing attack was one of the biggest reasons the Bills were able to finish the comeback.
Winner: Greg Rousseau
Rousseau is becoming one of the biggest difference-makers on Buffalo’s defense.
The edge rusher recorded two sacks against the Chargers, giving him two sacks in each of Buffalo’s first three games. He now has six sacks on the season, continuing an impressive start under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Rousseau’s second sack came during a crucial fourth-quarter drive as Buffalo attempted to protect its lead.
After struggling to generate consistent pressure last season, Rousseau’s has quickly established himself as a mamo problem for opposing quarterbacks.
Loser: Josh Allen
It feels strange putting Allen in the loser section after a Buffalo victory, but Sunday was one of his rougher performances.
Allen threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, accounting for three of Buffalo’s five turnovers . The Chargers repeatedly made life difficult for him early, and the Bills behind 10-0 before Allen helped bring them back into the game.
Allen ultimately made enough plays to help Buffalo win, including two rushing touchdowns, but the turnovers nearly proved costly.
Against better opponents, Buffalo won’t always have the luxury of surviving three turnovers from its quarterback.
Loser: Bills offensive line
Buffalo’s offensive line had a difficult afternoon protecting Allen.
The Chargers generated consistent pressure, and the unit was also hurt by penalties. Alec Anderson was flagged for holding twice, including a first-half penalty that pushed Buffalo into a difficult down-and-distance situation before Allen threw an interception.
Allen deserves most of the criticism for his turnovers, but the protection in front of him didn’t make his job any easier.
The Bills escaped with the victory, but the offensive line will need to clean things up quickly with New England coming to Buffalo in Week 4.
