Pro Sports

Gordon scores 3 TDs in Chargers' 31-20 win over Bills

Posted September 16, 2018 7:00 am

By JOHN WAWROW

Los Angeles Chargers' Melvin Gordon reacts as he scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes) The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Melvin Gordon matched a career high by scoring three touchdowns, and the Los Angeles Chargers defeated Buffalo 31-20 in manhandling the anemic Bills during rookie quarterback Josh Allen's debut as a starter.

Gordon scored on a 20-yard run and added two touchdowns receiving before limping off the field after appearing to hurt his left leg early in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers did not have an update on Gordon's status after he was evaluated in a tent on the sideline.

Gordon finished with just 28 yards rushing and six catches for 38 yards in his second three-TD game. He had two touchdowns rushing and one receiving in a 33-30 win at Atlanta on Oct. 23, 2016.

Philip Rivers finished 23 of 27 for 256 and three touchdowns as the Chargers (1-1) rebounded from a 38-28 season-opening loss to Kansas City last weekend.

The Bills (0-2) also have a concern at running back after LeSean McCoy missed the entire fourth quarter with what the team called a rib injury.

McCoy was shaken up late in the third quarter when he was tackled from behind and had Buffalo center Ryan Groy fall down on him. Groy landed heavily on the left side of McCoy's chest as he was on the ground.

The Chargers took control in building a 28-3 lead with 1:55 left in the second quarter, when Rivers hit Gordon for a 2-yard touchdown pass. That capped a run in which Los Angeles scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions.

Rivers began the run by hitting Mike Williams on a 10-yard pass 5ˆ½ minutes in. Gordon scored on a 20-yard run some five minutes later.

And then Rivers hit Gordon on a 9-yard touchdown pass to open the second quarter to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive, after the Bills scored on Stephen Hauschka's 43-yard field goal.

The Bills, in their home opener, got off to yet another miserable start a week after a 47-3 season-opening loss at Baltimore. Buffalo trailed the Chargers 28-6 at halftime and has been outscored by a combined 54-6 in the first half.

Allen did produce two touchdown drives in the second half, including a seven-play, 75 yard third-quarter-opening drive capped by Chris Ivory's 1-yard plunge.

Allen finished 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 38 seconds remaining, and two interceptions.

It was a modestly better showing at quarterback a week after Nathan Peterman was yanked after completing 5 of 18 attempts for 24 yards, with two interceptions, and overseeing an offense that managed just one first down over 10 series.

Whatever last chance the Bills had to get back into the game ended with about seven minutes left, when Allen threw his second interception. Facing first-and-11 at the Buffalo 2, Allen sailed a pass up the left sideline intended for tight end Jason Croom, but was picked off by leaping linebacker Kyzir White.

Los Angeles used up more than three minutes off the clock, sealing the win on Caleb Sturgis hitting a 24-yard field goal.

SACK 'EM

Melvin Ingram III had 1ˆ½ of the Chargers' five sacks on a defense that was playing without Joey Bosa (foot) and Corey Liuget (suspension).

STILL HAVEN'T TRAILED

The Chargers won their fourth straight meeting against the Bills, and haven't trailed Buffalo since a 23-14 loss on Oct. 19, 2008.

FINALLY

It took nearly 95 minutes of game time for the Bills to finally find the end zone. The drought finally ended on Ivory's 1-yard plunge with 11:06 left in the third quarter.

Buffalo was the only team not to score a touchdown in Week 1.

INJURIES:

Chargers: Receiver Travis Benjamin did not play because of a foot injury.

Bills: RB Taiwan Jones was being evaluated for a head injury after he was tackled in Buffalo's end zone after his helmet came off while recovering a fumbled punt midway through the fourth quarter.

ANTHEM UPDATE

Chargers offensive tackle Russell Okung stood 3 yards in from the sideline with his right arm raised. No other players appeared to protest during the anthem.

UP NEXT

Chargers: At Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 23.

Bills: At Minnesota, Sunday, Sept. 23.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/tag/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Los Angeles Chargers' Melvin Gordon, center celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James, left, sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) The Associated Press

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, hands off to LeSean McCoy during the first half an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Chargers' Melvin Gordon, bottom, scores a touchdown while Buffalo Bills' Matt Milano defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) The Associated Press

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, top, is tacked by Los Angeles Chargers' Jahleel Addae during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.