In a quirky twist of COVID-19 ramifications, they’ll be back in Arizona – site of their “Hail Murray” fail – Monday to face Niners.

This was perhaps the definition of an “ugly win.”

The Buffalo Bills moved to 8-3 on the season thanks to a 27-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. In reality, this game should not have been this close. The Bills got out to an early lead thanks to this touchdown from Josh Allen to Dawson Knox to cap off the Bills’ first drive of the game.

This well-executed play-action play in the red zone gave the Bills an early 7-0 lead and was the ending to a crisp four-play, 63-yard drive.

After some trickery in the form of a Cole Beasley touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis, the Bills had a 17-6 lead at the halftime break. The game seemed well in hand when the Bills put together a 12-play, 57-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, capped off by this touchdown run from Allen himself.

The Bills’ season has been a wild rollercoaster, but it has also been a clear step forward. They may not be in the AFC’s top tier, but they are really talented and know how to keep things exciting. But they have a ceiling in the power rankings and for now it’s right around here.

The Bills needed to put together a strong, complete performance, and despite some shakiness from Josh Allen, they got that job done against the Chargers. The encouraging development was the defense clamping down again and making needed plays.

The fourth quarter wasn’t pretty, but it was still a win over a Chargers team that is much better than their record. Next week, the Bills catch a bit of a break when they play a “road game” against the 49ers, who aren’t allowed to play at Santa Clara and will play in Arizona instead. Not that home field matters much in 2020, but it is an edge to have a neutral-site game instead.

The Buffalo Bills came out of their bye week comfortably in first place in the AFC East and in the top five in these power rankings. But beneath that veneer was the unpleasant truth that they were only a .500 team over their last six games.

However, the Bills strengthened their case as one of the best teams in the AFC with their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. They put together one of their most complete halves of the last month-plus, building a 24-6 lead over the Chargers before staving off a late rally.

Quarterback Josh Allen admitted to reporters afterward that the score shouldn’t have been as close as it was:

“Our defense played outstanding. Obviously, on the offensive side of the football, we can do a lot more to help us out—27 points and three consecutive turnovers in the third and fourth quarter or whatever it was, we left a lot out there. We know that, we’ve got to be better, and I’ve got to be better in taking care of the football.”

Sloppy second half aside, the Bills did what they had to do to stay ahead of the surprising Dolphins in the AFC East. But it won’t be easy to maintain that lead. Of Buffalo’s last five contests, four come against clubs that are 5-6 or better.

Ready or not, they’re coming to prime time for three of their next four games.

The Bills are in good position to win their first AFC East title since 1995, but have faltered against the best teams in their conference this season. With Pittsburgh coming into town possibly still undefeated, it will be a prime opportunity for Buffalo to throw its hat in the ring of conference title contenders against arguably the best team in the NFL on “Sunday Night Football.” The Steelers’ defense also will provide a challenging litmus test for the Bills’ upstart passing offense.