The Buffalo Bills’ magical start just keeps getting better as they defeated the Miami Dolphins to grab the solo lead in the AFC East. They can make it three in a row when they host the San Diego Chargers, who are coming off a stunning win over the defending champs Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday.
Read on for our complete analysis of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can also read our preview of the Week 3 clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos here.
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San Diego Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills Preview
When: Sunday, September 21, 1:00 PM ET
Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo
Line: San Diego Chargers (+1) at Buffalo Bills (-1); total 44.0 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the San Diego Chargers
Quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates showed the Seattle Seahawks what nine seasons of teamwork can do when they combined for three touchdowns in a tough 30-21 victory over the defending champions Seattle Seahawks.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The 34-year-old Gates had a game for the ages in Week 2 as he scored three touchdowns and moved to 11th on the all time receiving touchdowns list. His 21-yard catch was a thing of beauty as the tight end split two defenders and pulled in a one-hand grab for the touchdown.
Gates wasn’t the only one making plays on Sunday. His quarterback outplayed the vaunted Seattle defense. Rivers completed 28 of 37 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns but it was his performance against the Seattle Seahawks when sending standard pressure (four or fewer pass-rushers) that really caught the eye.
Rivers went an astounding 22-of-25 for 211 yards against the Seahawks when he faced standard pressure and this was only the second time since 2011 that the Seahawks have allowed three passing TDs since 2012.
And that will be the main story for the Chargers this season. Their fortunes will revolve around the form of Rivers and if he keeps on playing the way he did against the Seahawks on Sunday, they will be legitimate playoff contenders.
He will have to do it on a regular basis though and he will face an acid test when he squares off with the undefeated Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday. In their two wins this season, the Bills have allowed just 15 points per game as their stingy defense has helped them score upsets over the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins.
Still, the Bills are the fifth-worst team in the league this season in passing yards allowed, conceding 275.5 yards per game this year. That is certainly good news for a Chargers team that is eighth in the league this season in the passing yards department with a 257.0 clip.
The Chargers are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with the Bills dating back to 1985. They are an impressive 5-0 ATS in their last five games away from home dating back to November 24th of last season.
Betting on the Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills honored their late Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson in the best possible way by beating the Miami Dolphins 29-10 to go top of the AFC East with a 2-0 record in Week 2.
It was the Clemson connection that did the most damage for the Bills as running back C.J. Spiller and wide receiver Sammy Watkins gave Bills fans a glimpse of what the future holds for the suddenly-formidable Buffalo squad.
Spiller, the Bills’ 2010 first round pick scored on a 102-yard kickoff return on the team’s very first touch in the third quarter while this year’s first round pick Sammy Watkins showed what he is capable of, catching eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a dominating performance that gave Buffalo its first 2-0 mark since 2011.
It was Watkins’ performance however that really grabbed the headlines as he seemed to finally justify the huge investment made in him by the Buffalo management this season. After a so-so preseason and a disappointing opening debut against the Bears, Watkins finally had his breakout game as he became the first Bills rookie to post more than 100 receiving yards since Lee Evans back in 2004.
The Bills were fifth-worst in the league in the passing yards department with just 3,103 last year but expect those numbers to improve with Watkins in the lineup this season.
That is good news as well for quarterback E.J. Manuel who will have a more balanced attack this year compared to seasons past. He has completed 32 of 48 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns in Buffalo’s two wins this season and much more will be needed from the 24-year-old QB if they are to contend further this year.
They will have to take it one game at a time though, and that begins with their clash with the Chargers next Sunday. The Bills are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games dating back to December 30, 2012.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bills (-1) continue their magical start and go to 3-0. Create a betting account now and make some money this weekend.
