It’s not often that a team can turn the ball over five times and win.
But that’s exactly what happened in Buffalo on Sunday, with the Bills coming from behind to defeat the Chargers 24-16.
Los Angeles was able to get off to a 10-0 lead after a fumble from James Cook on the first play from scrimmage and an interception on Buffalo’s third drive.
But the Bills were able to tie it up at 10-10 with Josh Allen’s 1-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. Allen had set it up with a 37-yard pass to Keon Coleman with little time before the break.
The Bills had three turnovers in the first half. While they had two more fumbles in the second half, the Chargers punted after one and Justin Herbert threw an interception deep in the red zone on the second.
Josh Allen powered his way in for another 1-yard touchdown with 7:35 left in the contest to give the Bills their first lead of the day. Then James Cook was actually allowed to run in a touchdown, taking it in from 3 yards out to put the game away.
Aside from his fumble, Cook had an excellent day — rushing for 154 yards on 24 carries with his TD.
Allen finished 16-of-26 for 204 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. He had 22 yards on eight carries with two TDs.
On the other side, Herbert was 20-of-34 for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
That was Los Angeles’ lone giveaway of the game, but the +4 advantage in turnover margin was not enough.
With the victory, the Bills are now 3-0. They’ll stay at home to host the Patriots next Sunday.
The Chargers are 0-3 and staring down the barrel of a long season. They will be on the road to face the defending-champion Seahawks next Sunday.
Chargers Clips
The Bills had three first-half turnovers, but are still tied 10-10 with the Chargers at halftime.
Josh Allen powered his way into the end zone on a tush push late in the second quarter to tie the score.
Allen had connected with Keon Coleman for a 37-yard pass down to the 1-yard line that set up the score.
That helped erase some sloppy play from the Bills for much of the first half. James Cook fumbled on the first possession for a turnover. Then Josh Allen threw a pair of interceptions.
But the Chargers could only manage 10 points off of the turnovers, with Cameron Dicker missing a 45-yard field goal wide left after Allen’s interception.
Allen is 10-of-17 for 112 yards with a pair of picks. James Cook has 10 carries for 59 yards.
On the other side, Justin Herbert is 9-of-16 for 85 yards with a touchdown.
The Chargers will receive the second-half kickoff.
Bills wide receiver DJ Moore hurt his shoulder in a Week 2 win over the Lions, but he had more than a week to recover from the injury and that was enough time for him to get cleared for action.
Moore is active for the Bills as they try to move to 3-0 on the season at home against the 0-2 Chargers. The Bills will also get defensive tackle Ed Oliver back in the lineup. Oliver missed the Lions game after injuring his hip in pregame warmups and was listed as questionable along with Moore and wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Coleman is also active for Buffalo while backup quarterback Trey Lance is active for the Chargers. DJ Uiagalelei was summoned from the practice squad as insurance after Lance was listed as questionable, but there will be no change behind Justin Herbert.
Chargers at Bills
Chargers: S Elijah Molden, QB DJ Uiagalelei, OL Alex Harkey, G Kayode Awosika, TE Charlie Kolar, WR Brenen Thompson, DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Bills: WR Skyler Bell, OL Jude Bowry, OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams, DL T.J. Sanders, LB Mike Danna, S Jalon Kilgore
Panthers at Browns
Panthers: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, QB Haynes King, WR Xavier Legette, S Nick Scott, LB Devin Lloyd, OT Albert Reese, DT Cam Jackson
Browns: CB Tyson Campbell, QB Taylen Green, LB Justin Jefferson, C Parker Brailsford, G Teven Jenkins
Jets at Lions
Jets: WR Adonai Mitchell, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, TE Mason Taylor, RB Kene Nwangwu, CB Nahshon Wright, K Blake Grupe, LB Kiko Mauigoa
Lions: G Ben Bartch, TE Tyler Conklin, S Bishop Fitzgerald, DL Ahmed Hassanein, LB Devin White, DL Mekhi Wingo
Texans at Colts
Texans: TE Brevin Jordan, CB Collin Wright, WR Nico Collins, G Ed Ingram, DE Jadeveon Clowney, OL Nate Thomas
Colts: WR Ashton Dulin, WR Darius Slayton, DE George Gumbs, G Dailton Tucker, RB DJ Giddens, QB Riley Leonard
Patriots at Jaguars
Patriots: S Craig Woodson, LB Dre’Mont Jones, QB Behren Morton, OT Dametrious Crownover, TE Eli Raridon, DT Leonard Taylor
Jaguars: WR CJ Williams, S Jalen Huskey, LB Jack Kiser, OL Daniel Faalele, DE Wesley Williams, DT Albert Regis
Chiefs at Dolphins
Chiefs: TE Jared Wiley, QB Garrett Nussmeier, DB Chamarri Conner, DE Jack Pyburn, OT Josh Simmons, DE Tyreke Smith
Dolphins: QB Brady Cook, WR Caleb Douglas, RB Jaylen Wright, CB Marcellus Dial, OL DJ Campbell, DL Rob Beal Jr., OL Chukweubuka Godrick
Titans at Giants
Titans: OL Atonio Mafi, DL Jackie Marshall, OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, TE Kylen Granson, DB Jaylon Jones, RB Michael Carter
Giants: RB Devin Singletary, TE Thomas Fidone, OL J.C. Davis, DL Josh Tupou, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis, CB Deonte Banks, S Tyler Nubin
Bengals at Steelers
Bengals: CB Josh Newton, C Connor Lew, OT Myles Hinton, TE Jack Endries, DT BJ Hill, DT Landon Robinson
Steelers: RB Rico Dowdle, QB Drew Allar, QB Will Howard, CB Joey Porter Jr., RB Eli Heidenreich, DT Kevin Jobity Jr., DT Gabriel Rubio
Seahawks at Commanders
Seahawks: S Julian Love, S Ty Okada, DT Brandon Pili, QB Jalen Milroe, WR Montorie Foster, CB Avery Smith, LB Connor O’Toole
Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Javontae Jean-Baptiste, G Sam Cosmi, TE Chig Okonkwo
The NFL means plenty of things, from No Fun League to Not For Long. That’s never been more true for coaches.
Last year, 10 of 32 jobs became open. Whatever the number this time around, the number will be closer to nine than none.
Through two weeks, more than a few seats are getting hot. Or, as the case may be, hotter.
We’ll start with Colts coach Shane Steichen, mainly because of what team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said after the 2025 season ended: “We have been very clear with [G.M.] Chris [Ballard] and Shane that giving them another opportunity means that the sense of urgency for them to deliver and perform has never been higher.”
So far, the Colts are winless. The defense has given up more than 500 yards in each of the first two games. Obviously, something needs to change or there will be a housecleaning in Indianapolis.
Next on the list is Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles. Since starting 2025 with a 6-2 record, the Buccaneers are 2-11. Imagine the angst in the Glazer suite last week while they had to sit there and wait two hours for the likely loss to the lowly Browns to become official. A turnaround is a must.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn wasn’t one-and-done after 2025, in part due to a buyout that would have exceeded $40 million. The season started with a suffocation of the Titans and former Jets coach Robert Saleh. In Week 2, a blown 10-point lead, widely-criticized late-game clock management, and a decision to receive the opening kickoff of overtime have increased the pressure on Glenn to do more this year than he did last year.
Things are looking grim for Dan Quinn in D.C. For some, it’s already become a given that Quinn will be gone after his third season — especially if it’s another 5-12 showing, or worse. The latest Jayden Daniels dislocated left elbow likely won’t buy Quinn a mulligan.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur is facing an uprising in the land of beef and cheese. Yes, he got an extension after the 2025 season. But he wouldn’t be the first coach who received a new contract one offseason and a pink slip the next.
Lastly, we’ll mention Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. He made the playoffs in each of his first two years on the job. This year, however, has started in disastrous fashion. He has two years left on his five-year, $80 million contract after 2026; the buyout could buy him one more year. It all comes down to whether the Chargers play dramatically better than they did against two teams that combined in 2025 for a record of 6-28.
Any, some, or all of the coaches listed above could turn things around. After all, 15 games remain. And other coaches who are currently safe could end up in hot water as the season unfolds.
Either way, it makes sense to be watching the situation closely, because the NFL head-coaching industry has proven to be a high-turnover business. And, as former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged once it became clear he was on the hot seat in 2025, it’s the business they’ve chosen.
The Herbert brothers could have a special moment today in Buffalo.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s little brother, tight end Patrick Herbert, has been elevated from the Chargers’ practice squad to the active roster. That means the Herberts are set to play together today against the Bills.
When the Chargers added Patrick to their practice squad just before the start of this season, it made the Herberts teammates for the first time since they were at Oregon in 2019. Patrick barely played as a true freshman that year, and Justin never threw him a pass.
The 25-year-old Patrick, who is three years younger than Justin, signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent last year and spent the season on their practice squad. He remained with the Jaguars throughout this offseason.
Patrick spent six seasons at Oregon, playing there from 2019 through 2024. As a freshman he got on the field for two games, while Justin was leading the Ducks to a 12-2 record that culminated in winning the Rose Bowl. During his college career, Patrick caught 31 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns.
If Justin throws a touchdown pass to Patrick, he’d do something the NFL hasn’t seen in almost a century. Via Sal Paolantonio of ESPN, the last time an NFL player threw a touchdown pass to his brother, it was Red Grange to Gardie Grange for the Chicago Bears against the Minneapolis Red Jackets on October 27, 1929. The only other brother-to-brother touchdown pass was Cobb Rooney to Bill Rooney for the Duluth Kelleys against the Kenosha Maroons on October 26, 1924.
The Chargers placed offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday.
Pipkins, who was ruled out for Week 3 with a knee injury, will miss at least the next four games.
With Kayode Awosika (fibula) also ruled out, Trevor Penning will start at left guard.
In a corresponding move, the team signed quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to the active roster. In addition, the Chargers elevated tight end Patrick Herbert and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
Backup quarterback Trey Lance popped up on Friday’s injury report as questionable, prompting the Chargers to sign Uiagalelei to the active roster. He will backup Justin Herbert against the Bills if Lance is unavailable.
The Chargers are hurting at tight end with injuries to David Njoku and Charlie Kolar, so Patrick Herbert will add depth. Murphy is a core special teams player.
It was a bad weekend for the Brothers Harbaugh at SoFi Stadium. On Monday night, John lost his game and his quarterback. One day earlier, Jim’s Chargers joined the 1926 Racine Tornadoes in losing back-to-back home games who won fewer than 20 percent of their games in the prior season.
The Chargers emerged from what were, on paper, two winnable games with an 0-2 record. For Jim Harbaugh, it’s the first time he has ever started 0-2 as a head coach, at the college or pro level.
Although the 2026 start is depressing, it’s impressive that he went 22 seasons without losing two straight games to open a campaign. The run includes three years at the University of San Diego, four at Stanford, four with the 49ers, nine at Michigan, and his first two with the Chargers.
That won’t make him feel much better about the current predicament, especially with a four-game gauntlet before the Chargers’ Week 7 bye (at Bills, at Seahawks, Broncos, at Chiefs).
Jim needs to dig deep into the bag of Jack Harbaugh motivational quotes to turn this one around. The fact that Sunday’s game is regarded as a trap game for the Bills shows how quickly the L.A. program has crumbled.
The Chargers have now lost five in a row dating back to 2025, and they haven’t scored 17 or more points in any of them. If something doesn’t change, changes could be coming after the dust settles on the next four weekends and the Chargers get extra time to figure things out before facing the Rams, Texans, and Ravens.
Eight teams entered Week 3 at 0-2. One of them — the Falcons — avoided an 0-3 start. For the others, it becomes imperative to avoid starting the year with three straight losses.
In NFL history, only seven teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3. The group includes the 2025 Texans, the 2018 Texans, the 1998 Bills, the 1995 Lions, the 1992 Chargers, the 1982 Buccaneers, and the 1981 Jets.
Only the ’92 Chargers made it to the postseason after starting 0-4.
It’s easier now than it once was, thanks to 17 regular-season games and seven playoff spots per conference. It’s still not easy.
For starters, plenty of teams that start 0-3 do so for a very good reason — they’re not very good. Those that are have a reduced margin for error over the final 14 games.
This year, one game features two 0-2 teams: the Texans at the Colts. The other winless teams are the Dolphins, the Titans, the Chargers, the Commanders, and the Buccaneers.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has gotten off to a great start in 2026. He’s already made a little history — and he could make some more.
Per NBC Sports research, Allen is one of only three players with nine or more total touchdowns and no turnovers in the first two games of the season. The others — Patrick Mahomes in 2018 and Peyton Manning in 2013 — won the NFL MVP award that same year.
With at least two touchdowns and no turnovers against the Chargers on Sunday, Allen would join Mahomes as the only players with 11 or more touchdowns and no turnovers through three games. (Mahomes had 13 touchdowns and no turnovers through three games in 2018.)
And there’s more. Allen has had two straight games with four or more touchdowns and no interceptions. If he does it again on Sunday, he’ll tie five players for the longest streak in league history: Matthew Stafford in 2025, Allen in 2024, Lamar Jackson in 2019, Drew Brees in 2018, and Russell Wilson in 2015.
Finally, Allen has had two straight games with two rushing touchdowns. Only three players have done that in the first three games of the season: Priest Holmes in 2003, Stephen Davis in 1999, and Jim Brown in 1958.
Allen would trade it all for a 3-0 start, for the third straight season. And to extend Buffalo’s home record to 19-2 over the past 21 games.
The Bills have signed wide receiver Greg Dortch to the active roster from the practice squad, the team announced Friday.
In a corresponding move, the Bills placed defensive back Jordan Hancock on injured reserve.
Hancock missed Thursday and Friday’s practice due to a hamstring injury.
He played 13 defensive snaps and 42 on special teams in the first two games and totaled five tackles.
The Bills elevated Dortch for the first two games. He returned five punts for 46 yards (9.2 avg.) and five kicks for 133 (26.6 avg).
He has played four offensive snaps and 18 on special teams.
