The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Highmark Stadium at 0-2, having lost both games by an identical 26-14 scoreline, and now face the AFC's hottest team in the Buffalo Bills. Justin Herbert has to solve a Buffalo defense while working around a suddenly thin group of pass catchers, and Los Angeles' own defense has regressed badly to open the season.
Josh Allen has been nothing short of dominant, throwing for multiple touchdowns in both wins and pushing Buffalo to 2-0 while outscoring opponents 77-45. With Buffalo at home and riding momentum, the Chargers face one of the toughest tests of their season on a short trip east.
Chargers vs. Bills Odds
Chargers: +7
Bills: -7
Over: 50.5
Under: 50.5
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Chargers vs. Bills Key Injuries
Los Angeles' pass-catching corps has taken a significant hit. Tight ends David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) have both been placed on injured reserve, leaving Oronde Gadsden II as the only healthy tight end on the active roster. Starting left guard Kayode Awosika and starting defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson are also expected to miss time, per head coach Jim Harbaugh. Safety Derwin James Jr. will play through a broken thumb in a protective cast, while receiver Ladd McConkey has returned from a ribs injury that cost him time earlier in the season.
Buffalo is dealing with lighter concerns. Wide receiver DJ Moore is being monitored for an AC joint sprain suffered in Week 2, and defensive tackle Ed Oliver is managing a hip injury, but neither is expected to be a major absence entering Sunday.
Chargers vs. Bills Betting Trends
The betting market has moved firmly toward Buffalo, with the spread widening from an opening line near Bills -3 to as high as -7.5 at some books by midweek.
Article Continues BelowLos Angeles is 0-2 against the spread this season, while Buffalo sits at a perfect 2-0 ATS. The under has cashed in eight of the Chargers' last 10 games, a stark contrast to Buffalo, where the over has hit in seven of the Bills' last 10 and 13 of their last 21 overall.
Keys to Chargers vs. Bills Matchup
Everything starts with containing Josh Allen, who has combined for eight total touchdowns through two games while operating behind a Buffalo offensive line that has given him a clean pocket. Los Angeles' defense has regressed sharply after last season's form, and slowing Allen both as a passer and a runner will be essential to keeping this game competitive.
Offensively, Justin Herbert has completed just over 55% of his passes with two touchdowns against two interceptions and has already lost three fumbles through two games. With his top tight ends now on injured reserve, Herbert will lean more heavily on Ladd McConkey and the receiver room to move the ball, a tall task against a Bills defense that has generally protected leads well at home this season.
Chargers vs. Bills Prediction and Pick
Buffalo's offense is playing at an MVP level behind Josh Allen, and Los Angeles enters this game shorthanded at tight end, uncertain along the offensive line and already reeling from consecutive losses by the same score. The Chargers' defensive regression makes it difficult to trust them slowing down one of the league's most explosive quarterbacks on the road.
While Herbert and McConkey give Los Angeles enough to make plays, Buffalo's home-field advantage, healthier roster and superior early-season form should be enough to control this game into the fourth quarter.
Take the Bills to win and cover.
Prediction: Bills 28, Chargers 20.