Buffalo Bills 2023 Game Reviews Week 16: Bills find a way to win a close one against the Chargers

         Let me start by giving credit to the Chargers. They gave an inspired effort tonight under interim Head Coach Giff Smith. They really wanted to win this game. The Bills found a way to win this game where earlier this year they would had lost this game. We made clutch plays at the end of the game. Any win at this time of year is a good win.  

              Positives

              We stayed committed to the run 

              We didn't run the ball effectively like we did last week, but did get 105 yards rushing on 30 attempts. James Cook didn't have his best game, but it was nice to see Sean McDermott stick with him. Leonard Fournette had 20 yards on 5 carries as he got his first playing time all year. He is going to be big for us down the stretch and in the playoffs.  

              Josh Allen made clutch plays 

              Josh Allen led a big drive to give us the lead. He went 4 for 5 on the last drive of the game for 51 yards. Khalili Shakir had a big 15-yard catch in the final drive that got us in manageable field goal range. Gabe Davis had a big game when we needed it as he had 4 catches for 130 yards with a touchdown. The offense made clutch plays in this game. 

              Defense stepped up big 

              Our defense sacked Easton Stick 5 times in this game. Ed Oliver had a big sack at the end of the game which made it impossible for the Chargers to get down there to kick a field goal. Ed Oliver had 2 sacks in this game as he has been a difference maker this year. Terrell Bernard and Rasul Douglas each had a sack. We also held the Chargers rushing attack under 100 yards in this game.   

               Negatives 

              

               3 turnovers in this game 

              

               We had too many turnovers in this game. James Cook had a fumble that gave the Chargers a Field goal to make it 21-16. Josh Allen threw an interception, but luckily the Chargers didn't get anything on that. Deonate Harty fumbled on a punt return which gave the Chargers a touchdown that made 10-0 at the time. We overcame that in this game, but better teams will crush us if we turn it over 3 times. 

                7 penalties in this game 

                We also had too many penalties in this game. A lot of these penalties in this game killed our momentum on offense. We need to clean that up if we are going to go far in the playoffs. Mitch Morse had 2 holding penalties that took away big plays from our offense that Josh Allen made. This team needs to clean up the penalties because that can cost you against better teams like the Chiefs, Ravens, Browns and Colts in the playoffs. 

                Perspective 

                This was a close win, but it's a win at this time of year. Most games in the playoffs are going to be close and not blowouts. We are 2-0 in close games since the bye week after being 2-6 going into the bye. This team winning close games is a positive thing going into the playoffs because that is what a plague them in the playoffs. We have won 3 straight games and 4 out of our last 5 games. We're playing our best football right now at the right time of the year. I think playing with a playoff mind-set right now is gonna bold well for us in the playoffs.