ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The power was out at Ralph Wilson Stadium and the play clock wasn’t working, leaving Kawika Mitchell so out of sorts that he tripped over himself and fell while dropping back to cover a pass.
That was the first quarter. By the fourth, the Buffalo Bills linebacker had picked himself up to provide all the spark his team needed, helping secure a 23-14 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.
Mitchell had a key interception and also forced a fumble in the final four minutes to lift an injury-depleted defense and allow the AFC East-leading Bills (5-1) to show that they are, in fact, for real.
“We’re building, that’s for sure,” Mitchell said. “It’s definitely a big win to get against a team like that. It means a lot to our team. I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Buffalo matched its best start since 1995 and came out of its bye week by bouncing back from a dreadful 41-17 loss at Arizona.
The defense — minus defensive end Aaron Schobel (left foot) and cornerback Terrence McGee (left knee) — kept Philip Rivers, the league’s most efficient passer, in check. Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards showed he’s recovered from a concussion he suffered against Arizona by going 25-of-30 for 261 yards and a touchdown, while directing an offense that put up 370 yards.
Mitchell turned the game around by intercepting a pass from Rivers a yard inside the end zone to thwart a potential go-ahead score with 3:17 left. The turnover led to Rian Lindell’s 44-yard field goal, which put the Bills up 23-14.
Then, on the Chargers’ next possession, Mitchell came flying in from the left side and hit Rivers, forcing a fumble which the Bills recovered to run out the clock.
For San Diego (3-4), the loss was the latest in a string of inconsistent performances for a team that looks nothing like the one that reached the AFC championship game a year ago. The Chargers have plenty to think about while boarding a trans-Atlantic flight for London, where they will play New Orleans at Wembley Stadium next weekend.
Rivers took responsibility after he committed three turnovers, including two fumbles, which directly resulted in Buffalo scoring 10 points.
“Rightfully so, I should shoulder a lot of the blame,” Rivers said. “I was playing pretty good, and then you have three turnovers and it kills you. I hope it never happens again.”
The turning point was the interception with the Chargers facing first-and-goal at the 9. Upon taking the snap, Rivers never looked off tight end Antonio Gates, who was cutting into the end zone on the right side, making it easy for Mitchell to jump the route.
“We are gaining a lot of confidence,” Edwards said. “This is definitely a statement game for us.”
