By Tim Peterson
(Inglewood)- Tyler Bass kicked a 29-yard field goal with 28 seconds left to lift Buffalo to a 24-22 win over the Chargers Saturday night before a capacity crowd of 71,500 at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers took the lead 22-21 with 5:26 left on a 53-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. It was the third field goal of the fourth quarter for Dicker and fifth in the game. Less than two minutes earlier Dicker’s 45-yard boot made it 21-19. Then James Cook fumbled on the Bills next possession and it was recovered by Nick Williams of the Chargers to set up Dicker’s kick that gave LA the lead.
But Josh Allen led Buffalo down the field and Bass booted home the game winner.
The Chargers got the ball back with 28 seconds left but were unable to move the ball.
The Chargers got on the board first when Dicker “The Kicker” kicked a 20-yard field goal when the Chargers drive stalled at the Buffalo two-yard line on their first possession of the game.
Amen Ogbongbemiga recovered a fumble by Buffalo’s Deonte Harty on a punt return at the Bills 26-yard line early in the second quarter and the Chargers took advantage. Quarterback Easton Stick, playing for the injured Justin Herbert, scored on a one-yard run four plays later to give LA a 10-0 lead with 13:49 left in the second quarter.
Buffalo struck quickly on the next possession. Allen, on the first play of the series, hit Gabe Davis for a 57-yard touchdown down the far sideline.
The Bills put together an 8-play, 63-yard drive with Allen capping it with a two-yard run late in the second quarter. Buffalo took a 14-10 lead into the half.
Alohi Gilman intercepted Allen early in the third quarter. That led to a 40-yard field goal by Dicker to cut the Buffalo lead to 14-13 with 7::22 left in the third quarter.
Allen finished a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard run with 1:28 left in the third quarter and the Bills increased their lead to 21-13.
Dicker booted a 47-yard field goal early in the fourth to cut the Bills lead to 21-16.
Then the Buffalo fumble and a couple of swings of the leg by Dicker and LA led briefly before the Bills ended it late.
For the Chargers Stick completed 23 of 33 for 215 yards and also ran for 25 yards and a score. Joshua Palmer had 5 catches for 47 yards and Austin Ekeler led the rushing attack with 65 yards on 15 carries.
For Buffalo Allen went 15 of 21 for 237 yards with a touchdown and an interception and had the 2 rushing TDs. Davis had a big night with 4 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. Cook ran for 70 yards on 20 carries and survived the turnover in the fourth quarter.
The Bills improved to 9-6 with the win and are still in the thick of the playoff race. The Chargers fell to 5-10 and were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Should be interesting. No 4th quarter ads along with some other experiments.