The Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills both looked quite badly last week, especially defensively, in losses. Now, the Bolts – a team many thinks can win the Super Bowl – try to avoid a 0-2 start with a cross-country trip to Buffalo on Sunday. L.A. is just over a TD favorite at Mybookie Sportsbook.
“There’s a lot of things that will go into that decision,” McDermott said. “To get into all of the things I have to look at and consider, it’s not just as simple as some might think. There’s a lot of hands in that jar and I got to look at the overall team in all three phases, and Josh’s development is one of them.”
Bills DE Shaq Lawson (hamstring) is still being evaluated for injury. Lawson is behind Trent Murphy on Buffalo’s depth chart but serves as pass-rushing depth. The team signed DE Nate Orchard, formerly of the Browns, to a one-year contract. Orchard was one of the main characters on this summer’s Hard Knocks featuring the Browns but was ultimately part of final cuts.
The Buffalo defense allowed the Ravens to score touchdowns on all six of their red zone trips. It’s the first time an opponent has converted touchdowns on six or more red zone trips since the New England Patriots went 6-of-6 in a 56-10 victory over Buffalo in 2007.
How to Bet Chargers vs Bills NFL Week 2 Odds & Game Info
- When: Sunday, 1 PM ET
- Where: New Era Field, Buffalo
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 2 Odds: Los Angeles Chargers -7.5 (Total 42.5)
Last Meeting
These teams met Week 11 last year in L.A. and the Chargers rolled 54-24. Casey Hayward made two of the Chargers’ five interceptions during a historically bad first half by Buffalo rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman. Korey Toomer returned Peterman’s first interception 59 yards for a touchdown on Buffalo’s opening drive, the rookie threw two more interceptions in the first quarter and two additional picks in the second. Peterman was pulled from his first NFL start with a 37-7 halftime deficit after just 14 pass attempts. Los Angeles set a franchise record for points in a first half during the Bills’ worst defensive half since 1977. Philip Rivers passed for 250 yards and Keenan Allen had 12 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns for the Bolts.Why Bet on LA Chargers?
The Chargers lost 38-28 at home to Kansas City in Week 1. Certainly wasn’t the offense’s fault. Philip Rivers completed 34-of-51 passes for 424 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Rivers’ numbers could have been better as Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin both bungled certain touchdowns, while Rivers missed Benjamin on another. Keenan Allen caught 8-of-11 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. Melvin Gordon rushed 15 times for 64 yards, adding nine receptions for 102 additional yards. The Chargers were committed to exploiting the Chiefs’ awful inside linebackers with Gordon and Austin Ekeler’s receiving. Gordon’s receptions matched a career high while the 100-yard day through the air was the first of his career. Ekeler caught 5-of-5 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown and had five carries for 39 additional yards. The Chargers entered Sunday’s contest missing tight end Hunter Henry, who began 2018 on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a right ACL knee injury in May. The Bolts brought back Antonio Gates to help fill the void, but the 38-year-old tight end was used sparingly. Chargers RT Joe Barksdale suffered a right knee injury in Sunday’s loss. Barksdale played just 15 snaps. Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said there’s no update on Barksdale’s knee injury, and the team is moving forward as of right now with Sam Tevi as the team’s starting right tackle.Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 28.00
- Total Yards: 541.00
- Rush Yards: 123.00
- Passing Yards: 418.00
- Average Score Against: 38.00
- Total Yards: 362.00
- Rush Yards: 106.00
- Passing Yards: 256.00
Why Bet on Buffalo?
After last week, it’s hard to come up with a reason as the team was thoroughly embarrassed in a 47-3 loss in Baltimore. Nathan Peterman was benched in the third quarter. Peterman was a disaster in his third career start, leading the Bills to no scoring drives and zero first downs in the first half. He threw for just 24 yards before getting pulled. Peterman had two picks directly to Ravens and took three sacks. Josh Allen replaced Peterman in the third quarter. Allen completed 6-of-15 passes for 74 yards. Allen should’ve had a touchdown that was dropped by Kelvin Benjamin in the end-zone. It seems likely he will start here, but Sean McDermott hasn’t said yet. Peterman has a 16.8 passer rating in three career starts, the fourth-worst rating in starts among the 227 NFL quarterbacks who have started games since 2001. He had that five-pick game last year vs. the Chargers as mentioned above. Allen needs plenty of development, so playing behind a porous offensive line with a shaky group of receivers might only stunt his growth.
“There’s a lot of things that will go into that decision,” McDermott said. “To get into all of the things I have to look at and consider, it’s not just as simple as some might think. There’s a lot of hands in that jar and I got to look at the overall team in all three phases, and Josh’s development is one of them.”
Bills DE Shaq Lawson (hamstring) is still being evaluated for injury. Lawson is behind Trent Murphy on Buffalo’s depth chart but serves as pass-rushing depth. The team signed DE Nate Orchard, formerly of the Browns, to a one-year contract. Orchard was one of the main characters on this summer’s Hard Knocks featuring the Browns but was ultimately part of final cuts.
The Buffalo defense allowed the Ravens to score touchdowns on all six of their red zone trips. It’s the first time an opponent has converted touchdowns on six or more red zone trips since the New England Patriots went 6-of-6 in a 56-10 victory over Buffalo in 2007.
Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 3.00
- Total Yards: 153.00
- Rush Yards: 83.00
- Passing Yards: 70.00
- Average Score Against: 47.00
- Total Yards: 369.00
- Rush Yards: 117.00
- Passing Yards: 252.00
Latest Chargers vs Bills NFL Week 2 Betting Trends
- Chargers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC
- Chargers are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September
- Bills are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record
- Bills are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in September
- Home team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings
