The Buffalo Bills were in trouble late on Saturday. But they rallied for a 24-22 win to avert disaster against a last-place Chargers team that just fired its head coach and lost starting quarterback Justin Herbert to a season-ending injury.
It was a third straight win for the Bills to improve to 9-6 and gain ground in the AFC playoff race after the Bengals dropped to 8-7 with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day. The Chargers threatened to play spoiler when Cameron Dicker's fifth field goal of the day gave Los Angeles a 22-21 lead with 5:26 remaining. But the Bills drove 64 yards for a go-ahead Tyler Bass field with 28 seconds left that turned out to be the game winner.
The Bills face the New England Patriots next week before a season-ending showdown with the AFC-East leading Miami Dolphins.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER83 updates
There was no Chargers miracle in the final seconds. The Bills avert disaster and hold on for a 24-22 win. They improve to 9-6 and gain ground in the playoff race after the Bengals fell to 8-7 with a loss to the Steelers earlier Saturday. Big swing in the AFC playoff picture.
Tyler Bass kicks the go-ahead field. Buffalo leads, 24-22 with 28 seconds remaining.
Close call. Officials got it right. He was down. Very likely a good break for the Bills. They can potentially run out the clock for a game-winning field goal attempt rather than give the ball back to the Chargers with more than 2 minutes remaining.
Madness in the final minutes. Khalil Shakir appeared to have scored a go ahead touchdown with 2:25 remaining. Josh Allen beat the third-down blitz to find Shakir inside the 15-yard line. Shakir dove to catch the ball then ran to the end zone. But officials ruled upon replay review that he was down by contact before getting up.
Big conversion on third-and-8. Josh Allen hits Stefon Diggs to keep the drive alive. Bills across the Chargers 40 in the final three minutes of regulation needing a field goal to take the lead.
Cameron Dicker is clutch. The Chargers lose three yards after the turnover, but Dicker hits his fifth field goal of the game to put Los Angeles ahead, 22-21 with 5:26 remaining. This time from 53 yards.
Big turnover. James Cook fumbles and the Chargers recover with a chance to take the lead.
Another Cameron Dicker field goal pulls the Chargers to within 21-19 with 7:19 remaining. Bills with a needed stand after the Chargers took over near midfield.
The Bills just lost 22 yards on a disastrous 3-and-out and punted back to the Chargers, who remain within a touchdown of taking the lead.
The Easton Stick-led Chargers continue to keep this one close. A long drive ends with another field goal.
Bills lead 21-16 with 12:36 to play.
Josh Allen punches in the TD from the 1 to extend Buffalo's lead to 21-13. Late 3rd.
Gabe Davis is having himself a day. He snags a 36-yard dime down the sideline to set up another Bills touchdown!
Chargers get inside the Bills' 20 off the turnover but settle for a 40-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker.
Bills' lead is cut to 14-13.
Josh Allen has thrown an NFL-high 15 interceptions this year, matching Washington's Sam Howell.
Josh Allen takes a deep shot and is INTERCEPTED by LA's Alohi Gilman near midfield!
Chargers didn't get far on their first drive of the half. Bills take over at their own 10 after the punt.
The 2nd half has begun in Los Angeles. Chargers start with the ball.
Remember, the Bills remain in control of their own playoff destiny. But they have to win tonight to keep that control.
The Chargers let the final 38 seconds run off the clock, and the Bills go into halftime with a 14-10 lead. A nice turnaround for Buffalo after an ominous start.
