The Buffalo Bills made plenty of mistakes Sunday, but James Cook made sure their perfect start survived. Cook ran for 154 yards and the game-sealing touchdown as Buffalo fought back from a 10-point hole to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16. The Bills entered at 2-0 with the league’s highest-scoring offense, while the Chargers arrived at 0-2 hunting for a first win. For most of the afternoon, Los Angeles looked ready to spoil Buffalo’s fast start.

The Chargers jumped ahead when safety Smith grabbed Josh Allen’s pass after Cook fumbled on Buffalo’s first play. Justin Herbert used that short field well, guiding Los Angeles to the 1-yard line before finding Keaton Mitchell for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Another interception by Smith later gave the Chargers another chance, and Cameron Dicker’s 31-yard field goal made it 10-0.

Buffalo’s offense finally found its rhythm in the second quarter. Cook burst 15 yards through the middle, and Allen connected with Dalton Kincaid for 14 yards as the Bills marched into scoring range. They settled for a Tyler Bass field goal, but the drive mattered because Buffalo had stopped the Chargers’ early rush.

Before halftime, Allen showed why the Bills are so dangerous even when the passing game is bumpy. He hit DJ Moore three times on a quick drive, then launched a 37-yard pass to Keon Coleman at the 1-yard line. Allen powered over the goal line himself with 16 seconds left, tying the game 10-10.

Los Angeles answered after halftime with a long drive that showed its new offense can move the ball. Herbert hit Ladd McConkey for 11 yards and Tre’ Harris for 29, then found McConkey again for 19 to reach the Buffalo 6. Penalties slowed the Chargers near the goal line, so Dicker kicked a 21-yard field goal for a 13-10 lead.

Then the Bills nearly gave it away again. Kincaid caught a 24-yard pass but lost a fumble, and the Chargers later forced Allen to fumble after a sack by Khalil Mack. Los Angeles had the ball at Buffalo’s 28 with a chance to stretch its lead. Instead, safety Gardner-Johnson intercepted Herbert’s deep throw at the 1-yard line and returned it 41 yards. That rescue changed the game.

Cook took over after the interception. He ran for 11 yards, then another 11, and Allen scored his second 1-yard touchdown to put Buffalo ahead 17-13 with 7:35 left. The Bills’ defense stopped Herbert’s next drive, and Cook slammed through for a 23-yard run before finishing Buffalo’s next possession with a 3-yard touchdown.

Herbert led one final push, but the Chargers could only add a late field goal. Buffalo is now 3-0 and heads to face the New England Patriots with proof it can survive a messy game. The Chargers fall to 0-3 before visiting the Seattle Seahawks, still searching for the clean finishing plays that could turn strong stretches into wins.

James Cook Carries Bills Through a Five-Turnover Escape