ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A few thoughts on the Buffalo Bills' 22-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
What it means: The Bills fall back down to Earth and slide back into the AFC East pack with their first loss of the season. After trailing for a total of 4½ minutes through their first two games, both wins, the Bills got into an early hole Sunday and couldn't recover. Credit the Chargers' offense, which at one point in the third quarter nearly doubled up the Bills in time of possession. Receiver Malcom Floyd (two catches, 98 yards) and tight end Ladarius Green (four catches, 64 yards) proved tough matchups for a Bills defense that showed holes. A run-first Bills offense couldn't keep up.
Stock watch: CB Leodis McKelvin, down. It wasn't a good day for either of the Bills' starting cornerbacks -- McKelvin or Stephon Gilmore -- but McKelvin in particular struggled. He gave up Floyd's 49-yard catch that led to a Chargers field goal late in the second quarter and was flagged for a 31-yard defensive pass interference penalty in the third. Surprisingly, the Bills started McKelvin and Gilmore over Corey Graham, who has arguably been the Bills' top-performing cornerback early this season.
Penalties add up: The Bills had numerous penalties that both stalled the Bills' offense and gave the Chargers' offense added life. Notably, running back C.J. Spiller had a 29-yard run called back by a holding penalty on tight end Scott Chandler in the second quarter. That's not the way to win a game. The Bills had 11 penalties for 101 yards, the second-to-last of which was intentional grounding against EJ Manuel in the end zone for a safety.
Watkins quiet: The Bills' offense received a boost from rookie Sammy Watkins last week, but the connection between Manuel and the fourth overall pick wasn't there Sunday. Watkins' first catch -- for a 3-yard gain -- came early in the fourth quarter. He caught two passes on eight targets from Manuel.
Multiple starters injured: Left guard Chris Williams left in the first half with a back injury, which has been a recurring ailment for the veteran this season. Starting safety Da'Norris Searcy injured his ankle early in the game, returned, but later left for the locker room. Special teams ace Marcus Easley was carted to the locker room in the second half with a knee injury.
Game ball: RB Fred Jackson. After his 38-yard run to seal the Bills' Week 1 win, Jackson quipped, "I'm old, but I can still play." He proved it again Sunday by darting through defenders on an 11-yard catch-and-run for the Bills' only touchdown. That third-quarter score came on one of only two red zone trips for the Bills in the game. Jackson, 33, caught eight passes for 78 yards. He also gained 34 yards on six carries.
What's next: The Bills, now 2-1, have back-to-back road trips coming up. They face the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium next Sunday before traveling to Detroit in Week 5.
