BY: JOE KONZE JR.
The Buffalo Bills are a lot like a phoenix, no matter how many times they die, they always come back.
After suffering a 32-30 loss to the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago, the Bills (7-3) are ready to rise from the ashes to take on the Los Angeles Chargers (3-7) at Bills Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Although the Chargers have only collected three wins on the season, their rejuvenated offense led by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert is a force to be reckoned with and should not be taken lightly.
For the Bills, the bye week was good to them as both the Dolphins and Patriots lost. But with just six games left in the 2020 season, the Bills will need to elevate their play if they want to win their first AFC East title since 1995.
Here are a few things to look out for in this weekend’s matchup.
Last time they met:
It was a roller coaster ride for Buffalo Bills fans the last time the Chargers came to town.
Josh Allen made his home debut, Sean McDermott took over defensive play-calling duties, and cornerback Vontae Davis decided that football was a young man’s game. He couldn’t keep up anymore and retired at halftime.
Buffalo allowed only three second-half points after McDermott took over playcalling duties. Still, the Chargers’ gained 284 yards of total offense in the first half, the most the Bills had allowed before halftime since 2013, was too much for them to overcome as they fell 31-20.
Josh Allen finished the game 18-of-23 with 245 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
He said it:
“He’s very impressive. I’ve gotten to watch a number of his games to this point and he’s very impressive. I think they’re coordinator Shane Steichen does a great job putting him in positions and they’ve got weapons around him so he came into, what I would consider, a favorable situation also which is also healthy for a young guy. And he’s tough, he’s got a big arm, he’s smart. What more could I say about him? He’s off to a great start.”
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert
Key Matchup- How Bills defend the Chargers’ passing attack?
Despite a 3-7 record the Chargers possess a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball starting with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
Since taking over at quarterback for the Chargers, after a team doctor accidentally punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung just before kickoff in week two against the Chiefs, Herbert has dropped absolute dimes to a talented group of wide receivers. In nine starts, Herbert has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,699 yards and 22 touchdowns.
His main target, Keenan Allen, has benefitted the most from Herbert’s impressive play. The savvy, explosive, and quick-footed wideout leads the league in receptions (81) and has totaled 835 yards receiving. He also ranks fourth in the NFL in yards after the catch with 384 yards, and five of his six touchdowns have come on third down this season.
On the opposite side of the field, Mike Williams is having a nice season for himself. The gritty, big-bodied target has hauled in 29 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns. In last week’s matchup against the Jets, Williams had four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills’ defense will have to reach into their bag of tricks and throw some exotic looks at Herbert and this talented offense if they want to be on the winning side of this matchup.
Diggs and Allen
The Chargers will be without defensive end Melvin Ingram (knee), cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. (groin) and defensive end Uchenna Nwosu (shoulder) this weekend and this could bode well for the Buffalo offense.
Ingram Jr. has dealt with a few injuries that have kept him from playing at an elite level this season. But let’s not forget that he has the potential to disrupt the backfield as he has recorded seven-plus sacks in each of the past five seasons. His backup, Nwosu is also out.
With the Chargers down two pass rushers on the defensive line and the Chargers’ No. 1 cornerback sidelined, look for Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen to have a big day.
If the Bills’ offensive line can keep Josh Allen upright, we might see Stefon Diggs eclipse 1,000 yards this weekend.
Rushing Attack
The ground game for the Buffalo Bills has been disappointing this season.
Running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have struggled to find any type of rhythm. The Bills’ rushing attack ranks 27th in the league in total rushing offense with 976 yards, nine touchdowns. They have averaged just 97.6 yards per game.
I know, they haven’t had to lean on the run game much because Josh Allen has been slinging the ball all around the yard. But let’s face it. If this team wants to go deep into the postseason, they are going to have to develop some type of run game.
The Los Angeles defense allowed close to 4.1 yards per carry and two touchdowns last week to the New York Jets. With two full weeks to prepare for the Chargers, will we see the rushing attack finally gain some ground? Or will they be stonewalled by another defense yet again?
Prediction
There is no doubt that the Bills are chomping at the bit to get back out on the football field after a heartbreaking loss to the Arizona Cardinals. With just six games left in the season and an AFC East title on the horizon, I would hate to be Los Angeles Chargers right now. Sure, Justin Herbert has been nothing short of impressive, but the Bills are unstoppable after a little rest. Under Sean McDermott’s tenure, the Bills are 3-0 after the bye week. With Casey Hayward Jr. out of the lineup and Melvin Ingram headed to the IR, this could get ugly fast. – Konze
Bills 45 Chargers 21
The Chargers are heading across the country to take on the Bills in what’s bound to be a clash of two incredibly exciting, young QBs. The Buffalo Bills have had a week to stew following the “Hail Murray” heartbreaker two weeks ago and should come out STARVING to bounce back. But not so fast, Justin Herbert has been a MONSTER, now with a prime opportunity to take advantage of this Buffalo defense and give us a run for our money. Although it’s a tale of two record with the Chargers at 3-7 and the Bills at 7-3…the Chargers have played close in nearly every game. On the season they have a low -13 point differential and the Bills is just a measly +7, so don’t get ahead of yourselves here folks. I don’t think the Bills lose (Disclaimer: I am a homer) but I think the Chargers keep it close and cover.
Bills 32 Chargers 29
Where can I watch/ listen?
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday at Bills Stadium (Orchard Park)
TV: CBS (Ch. 4 in Buffalo, Ch. 8 in Rochester, Ch. 5 in Syracuse)
RADIO: WGR 550 AM (Buffalo), WROC 950 AM (Rochester), WKTV 105.5 FM (Syracuse)
Line: Bills -4.5. -235 ML
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com
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