The Skinny: Nathan Peterman made his first NFL start and threw five first half interceptions, two more than Tyrod Taylor threw all season. The first one was returned for a score as the Chargers built a 10-7 first quarter lead. It would have been worse except for a couple of good plays by the Bills defense and LeSean McCoy had runs of 37 and 27 yards to give the Bills their only 1st quarter touchdown of the season. After that thanks to the giveaways by Peterman, and the atrocious play by the Bills defense that left the middle of the field wide open for Chargers receivers, Los Angeles annihilated the Bills 54-24. The Bills have now been blown out three weeks in a row as this 17 year playoff drought has hopefully, finally hit rock bottom.
The Turning Point:
The Third Interception: I could have picked either of the first two interceptions, or the fourth interception, or the Kelvin Benjamin devastating knee injury in the opening minutes but the Bills still ended up tying the game at 7 when those things happened. Peterman threw the ball up in the air and was picked off Tre Boston to setup the Chargers to take total control of the game.
The Big Drive:
Chargers 2nd TD: After Boston's pick the Chargers went 46 yards in 6 plays in just 3:16 to go up 17-7 and take total control of the game. The drive ended in a 21 yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen.
Stat I Did Like:
None: This team has been the worst in the NFL the past three weeks.
Stat I Didn't Like:
First Half Turnovers: Duh! They turned it over five times in the first half and the blowout was one
Scene Setters: - The Bills wore all white uniforms in Los Angeles. - The team's flight to LA was the last flight of a 747 from Buffalo Int'l Airport. - Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News came up with an incredible stat this week. Going into this game during the playoff drought they have played 15 games with a chance to get to six wins by the 10-game mark. They are 0-15 in those games. They have not been 6-4 since the 2000 season. - Before the game Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn jogged over to Terry Pegula and greeted him warmly with a hug. Pegula is the man who didn't hire Lynn to replace Rex Ryan as the head coach after he was the interim coach for one game last year. - For the first time this year the Bills decided to take the ball when they won the toss as they wanted to get Peterman on the field quickly. - The gameday inactives were John Miller, Cordy Glenn, Mike Tolbert, Jordan Matthews, Logan Thomas, Conor McDermott, and Shareece Wright.
Key Matchup Results:
The winners of the battles highlighted in our preview article: QB Nate Peterman vs. FS Tre Boston: Winner: Boston. He had the third interception of Peterman and the Chargers took control of the game.. LT Dion Dawkins and RT Jordan Mills vs. DEs Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram: Winner: Bosa and Ingram. The pressure on Peterman was relentless. DT Kyle Williams vs. RB Melvin Gordon: Winner: Gordon. The holes were there. DB Tre'Davious White vs. WR Keenan Allen: Winner: Allen. He and the rest of the receivers dominated this game as they were constantly open.
Keys To The Game Results:
How the keys highlighted in our preview article turned out: 1. Get Peterman In A Rhythm: Failure! I don't think interceptions gets you into a rhythm. 2. Tackle Better: Failure! There were huge holes in the running game. 3. Hold The Line: Failure! Peterman was constantly under pressure.
My Take:
Wow! Where to begin? This team has obviously given up on the season. The defense gave up two weeks ago and the coach gave up when he kept Peterman in despite throwing four interceptions and having two three and outs in the first half. In reality this is the team we figured we were getting before the season started but it took two months to show up. Maybe the coach should have stayed with Tyrod Taylor until the team was down to the in the hunt category. Instead he decided to go into full tank mode while the playoffs were on the line for a city that is so starved for a spot. This has to be the absolute lowest point of the 17 year playoff drought and that is saying a lot since we have seen so many low points since the turn of the century.
What's Ahead:
It doesn't get any easier for Peterman and the Bills as they travel to Kansas City to take on the suddenly struggling Chiefs. Kansas City is not a place that has been kind to the Bills in the past, even during the Super Bowl years they would get blown out there.
Gameballs
LeSean McCoy - He had three big runs and went over 100 yards and he scored both touchdowns for the Bills.
Goats
Nathan Peterman - More interceptions in one half than they have had all year!
Sean McDermott - He made the mistake to make the change and didn't adjust by making a change while the game was on the line. Worse his team quit for a third straight game.
Entire Defense - They just gave up when Peterman was giving the ball away.
Player Of The Week
LeSean McCoy - The least important 100 yard game of his career.
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Positional Breakdown and Grades
