The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Buffalo Bills 31-20 on Sunday at New Era Field for their first win of the 2018 season.
Running back Melvin Gordon scored three touchdowns – all in the first half – while Philip Rivers spread the ball to six different receivers and finished an efficient 23-of-27 for 256 yards and three touchdowns. The Chargers' defense was credited with five sacks. They hit rookie quarterback Josh Allen eight times and picked him off twice.
A pair of Chargers defensive rookies set the early tone for a dominant first half. On Buffalo's first possession, Allen – while trying to avoid a blitzing Derwin James – was sacked by linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. James added a tackle for loss later in the first quarter.
Check out some of the best action photos from the Bolts Week 2 match against the Buffalo Bills
![Melvin Gordon breaks through for a run against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/vehlujheeqadvhalixil.jpg)
Melvin Gordon breaks through for a run against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Uchenna Nwosu celebrates his sack of Bills QB Josh Allen during Sunday's game at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/hiznpc9wcxrqvgaf6jb0.jpg)
Uchenna Nwosu celebrates his sack of Bills QB Josh Allen during Sunday's game at New Era Field.
![Jahleel Addae celebrates a tackle during Week 2's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/zeo8sitlquqqwvw9zn0d.jpg)
Jahleel Addae celebrates a tackle during Week 2's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Darius Philon and Uchenna Nwosu celebrates Nwosu's sack during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/sfe6hodu09cuto2rmv7l.jpg)
Darius Philon and Uchenna Nwosu celebrates Nwosu's sack during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Philip Rivers looks to throw during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/cifb6gxldanizkrceju2.jpg)
Philip Rivers looks to throw during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Mike Williams jumped to grab a pass for a touchdown during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/ubso2maygi9h1lcof5tu.jpg)
Mike Williams jumped to grab a pass for a touchdown during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Mike Williams jumps up for a touchdown grab against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/ihka8hyrbxlf8vug2lbg.jpg)
Mike Williams jumps up for a touchdown grab against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Mike Williams celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/qi8jr0pcua5htsuzxspz.jpg)
Mike Williams celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Melvin Ingram celebrates Mike Williams' touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/gerrjsvxmosvtmhz5ls9.jpg)
Melvin Ingram celebrates Mike Williams' touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Damion Square and Chris Landrum celebrate a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/oq53082fpfmmy0pqwrsk.jpg)
Damion Square and Chris Landrum celebrate a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Trevor Williams, Jahleel Addae and Derwin James celebrate a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/lo0axnwo3uqaaux1iznn.jpg)
Trevor Williams, Jahleel Addae and Derwin James celebrate a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Austin Ekeler runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/nwrikju4dhmoxlomiidq.jpg)
Austin Ekeler runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/zvf7wsjprebxsvf12srn.jpg)
Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Melvin Gordon celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/fmfsysbhgulyjvgs3ogi.jpg)
Melvin Gordon celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Mike Williams celebrates during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/tykytlrplfyj1gmd2lxv.jpg)
Mike Williams celebrates during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Darius Philon tackles during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/iuboxmd6ptzajqr4l79u.jpg)
Darius Philon tackles during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Darius Philon tackles during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/l1yqywyph0zlcfyjyjc2.jpg)
Darius Philon tackles during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Tyrell Williams avoids a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/f1zsp7fhxmekjkm44kce.jpg)
Tyrell Williams avoids a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Tyrell Williams runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/e2wdo1mgx6arezyhrt32.jpg)
Tyrell Williams runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Tyrell Williams jumps to avoid a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/k7atcksryefkreqj264y.jpg)
Tyrell Williams jumps to avoid a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Dan Feeney and Melvin Gordon celebrate Gordon's touchdown during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/jc6wyjxezrsdc6x6rpuy.jpg)
Dan Feeney and Melvin Gordon celebrate Gordon's touchdown during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Tyrell Williams runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/xn437vkczxjpmizrthnc.jpg)
Tyrell Williams runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Darius Philon and Justin Jones celebrate during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/l8k81dzpuytpz7gxh6vk.jpg)
Darius Philon and Justin Jones celebrate during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Keenan Allen avoids a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/etmio2qku8jppwxgty7c.jpg)
Keenan Allen avoids a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Melvin Gordon runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/xznvzzuqsvkyztxm2pel.jpg)
Melvin Gordon runs downfield during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![The Bolts celebrate Melvin Gordon's third touchdown of the day against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/mid4ncnmmlp39670f6pr.jpg)
The Bolts celebrate Melvin Gordon's third touchdown of the day against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![The Bolts celebrate Melvin Gordon's third touchdown of the day against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/yll9bxvkj77iegwzwuew.jpg)
The Bolts celebrate Melvin Gordon's third touchdown of the day against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/os4syndsgjdg2psprys6.jpg)
Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.
![Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/zgwjuzoghyizdvkhpzyv.jpg)
Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.
![Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/xnujidgsyej5d4m0qzln.jpg)
Melvin Ingram takes down Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in Sunday's game at New Era Field.
![4LAC6919-1](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/ddr9fvbmbuwxz2qsgeul.jpg)
![Derwin James makes a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/wzg0kslorm1yttlckjpj.jpg)
Derwin James makes a tackle during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field.
![4LAC7521-3](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/tym41prvsmox1l8hudds.jpg)
![4LAC7523-1](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/f7zeyajjjpaeqsjfaayp.jpg)
![2LAC6540-1-2](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/lmdjfmrsrqgk8hz6yk4q.jpg)
![4LAC7775-2](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/mom9a3f76sx0tdp4cj6n.jpg)
![4LAC7774-1](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/jc3bwumwcsjuszbaxx0h.jpg)
![1LAC7007-1](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/ogam4simpcjsa7hm8aqa.jpg)
Both defensive plays were key in setting up the Chargers' first two scores of the day. Wide receiver Mike Williams caught his first career touchdown – a 10-yard pass from Rivers – to give L.A. a 7-0 lead. It capped a three-play, 38-yard drive which also included a 25-yard reception by tight end Virgil Green.
On the Bolts' next offensive possession, Gordon finished a six-play, 61-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. Los Angeles led 14-0 after the first quarter – and Gordon wasn't done.
After a Buffalo field goal, the Chargers marched down the field again courtesy of two Austin Ekeler rushes (22 and 16 yards) and a 23-yard reception by Green. This time, Gordon scored on a nine-yard reception from Rivers.
The hat trick for No. 28 came on a two-yard touchdown reception from Rivers with two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Los Angeles led 28-6 at halftime. Gordon finished the game with 66 total yards.
Ekeler rushed for a career-high 77 yards on 11 carries. Defensive end Melvin Ingram notched 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits. James had six total tackles – two for loss – and a sack. Safety Adrian Phillips and rookie linebacker Kyzir White added two second-half interceptions of Allen.
Dating back to last season, Los Angeles has outscored Buffalo 85-44 in two meetings.
UP NEXT:
The Chargers travel up the road to face the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Week 3. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. Pacific on CBS.