Bills rally past Chargers 24-16 as rookie coach steadies offense

Buffalo held off a late surge by the Los Angeles Chargers to win 24-16 on Sunday, despite committing five turnovers. Quarterback Josh Allen said the halftime tie felt like a dream and praised the defense for keeping the team in the game.

Head coach Joe Brady, in his first NFL season, said he aimed to stay calm and guide his players through the adversity, noting that “sometimes there’s yelling that needs to happen” but emphasized the importance of responding positively.

Allen struggled with decision-making, losing a fumble and throwing two interceptions, while the passing attack was graded C- by a local analyst. Wide receiver DJ Moore contributed 67 yards on six catches, including a key third-down conversion before halftime.

Running back James Cook was the offensive highlight, rushing for 154 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, earning an A- grade for the ground game. His performance helped Buffalo build a lead that the Chargers could not overcome.

Defensively, the Bills limited Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert to 226 yards and forced a decisive fourth-quarter interception. The unit recorded 23 quarterback pressures and eight pass breakups, receiving a B+ rating.

Special teams saw returner Greg Dortch average 30.7 yards on three kickoff returns, while kicker Tyler Bass made all four attempts, including a 28-yard field goal.

Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard was credited for improving the defense after early-season struggles, and Brady took responsibility for the offensive miscues, stating they reflected his coaching.