Game story
In Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-21, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 22–10 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
E. Manuel (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -5.21 total EPA, and -7.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.71 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+60.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (:13) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass short right to 22-F.Jackson to BUF 23 for no gain (32-E.Weddle).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +17.71 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 2 F. Jackson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.53 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 3 E. Royal · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.27 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 4 L. Green · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.59 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 5 M. Floyd · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.58 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 6 S. Chandler · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.26 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
- 7 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.71 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 8 F. Jackson · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Rivers — LAC · Passing
P. Rivers posted the highest total EPA (+17.71) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.57 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.00 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (12:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 24 for 49 yards (37-N.Robey).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — E. Royal (P. Rivers pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — E. Royal (P. Rivers pass)
- Buffalo Bills — F. Jackson (E. Manuel pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Novak
- Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Novak
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q1 54:50) — (9:50) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 11-E.Royal for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 7.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 54:45) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 6–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the BUF 2 (Q2 40:21) — (10:21) 9-N.Novak 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the LAC 27 (Q2 33:00) — (3:00) 2-D.Carpenter 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the BUF 19 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) 9-N.Novak 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q3 22:34) — (7:34) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 11-E.Royal for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 22:31) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LAC 11 (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass short right to 22-F.Jackson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 16:16) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 2–0. Los Angeles Chargers registered a safety from the LAC 91 (Q4 3:28).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 30:13) — (:13) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass short right to 22-F.Jackson to BUF 23 for no gain (32-E.Weddle).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2) — End of half - 2.25 pm
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 24 for 49 yards (37-N.Robey).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 31 for 49 yards (21-L.McKelvin).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 45:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 11-E.Royal pushed ob at LAC 44 for 23 yards (23-A.Williams).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 24 for 49 yards (37-N.Robey).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 45:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 11-E.Royal pushed ob at LAC 44 for 23 yards (23-A.Williams).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 31 for 49 yards (21-L.McKelvin).
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 18:24) — (3:24) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass short right to 10-R.Woods to LAC 23 for 15 yards (26-B.Flowers).
Quarterback report card
E.Manuel led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- E.Manuel (Buffalo Bills) · 51 dropbacks · 45.1% completion · -7.9% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -5.21 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 31 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +12.8% CPOE · +0.57 EPA/play · +17.71 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.103 | -0.062 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.2% | 48.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.571 | -0.108 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.198 | -0.177 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.062 | -0.103 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.8% | 59.8% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -5.14 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +9.00 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- E. Manuel (BUF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 54:50 · BUF 3 · Score 6-0
(9:50) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 11-E.Royal for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 7. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 54:45 · BUF 2 · Score 7-0
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 40:21 · BUF 2 · Score 10-0
(10:21) 9-N.Novak 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 33:00 · LAC 27 · Score 10-3
(3:00) 2-D.Carpenter 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:25 · BUF 19 · Score 13-3
(:25) 9-N.Novak 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 22:34 · BUF 5 · Score 19-3
(7:34) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 11-E.Royal for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 22:31 · BUF 2 · Score 20-3
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 16:24 · LAC 11 · Score 20-9
(1:24) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass short right to 22-F.Jackson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 16:16 · LAC 2 · Score 20-10
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Los Angeles Chargers Safety (+2) — Q4 3:28 · LAC 91 · Score 22-10
(3:28) (Shotgun) 3-E.Manuel pass incomplete short right [94-C.Liuget]. PENALTY on BUF-3-E.Manuel, Intentional Grounding, 9 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Buffalo Bills 22-10 in Week 3, 2014 on 2014-09-21.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 22, Buffalo Bills 10 (LAC 22-10 BUF) in Week 3, 2014 on 2014-09-21.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Buffalo Bills 0; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 6, Buffalo Bills 3; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 2, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 22, Buffalo Bills 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — E. Royal (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 54:50) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — E. Royal (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 22:34) Buffalo Bills touchdown — F. Jackson (E. Manuel pass) (Q3 16:24) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Novak (Q2 40:21, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — D. Carpenter (Q2 33:00, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Novak (Q2 30:25, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
E. Manuel (Buffalo Bills), 45.1% completion, -7.9% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -5.21 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 58.1% completion, +12.8% CPOE, +0.57 EPA per dropback, +17.71 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +17.71 on passing plays. across 31 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.00 EPA): (12:28) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 80-M.Floyd to BUF 24 for 49 yards (37-N.Robey).. The biggest win-probability swing was +60.0%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Buffalo Bills
Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L
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