Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers were expected to be among the dangerous teams to watch in the AFC, but so far, through two weeks, Herbert and the offense have been massive disappointments, and the Chargers find themselves 0-2 after surprising losses against the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders.
The undefeated Buffalo Bills (2-0) are next up for the Chargers Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium, and unlike the Chargers offense that has sputtered out of the gate, Josh Allen and the Bills attack has been dialed in, piling up 77 points in wins over the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.
What can fans expect Sunday afternoon, when the Bills and Chargers meet up for the 42nd time? Hopefully there are no errant weather balloons near the power lines at the stadium. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by sharing the key matchups to watch and positional analysis as the Bills look to start the season 3-0 for the third straight season, and the fifth time in the last eight years.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments section.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball while being tackled by Eric Kendricks #6 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Bills vs. Chargers storylines to watch
Linked below: Breaking down the key story lines to watch, including how the Chargers have struggled to protect the football through the first two weeks; why Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense should be poised for plenty of big plays against a Chargers defense that ranks 29th against the pass; why veteran Joshua Palmer and rookie Skyler Bell should be ready to step in and contribute if DJ Moore and Keon Coleman are sidelined; why tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt should have their hands full trying to slow down edge rushers Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb; how defensive tackle Deone Walker will once again prove to be a matchup nightmare for Los Angeles’ offensive line; why the Chargers represent a great chance for Jim Leonhard’s defense to fix the issues that have plagued Buffalo in the first two games; and more!
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 23: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills rushes the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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Bills vs. Chargers: 4 things to know about Los Angeles entering Week 3 - newyorkupstate.com
Bills-Chargers preview: Will DJ Moore play? Roster moves to watch and a prediction - The Athletic (subscription required)
Bills’ explosive offense gets reeling Chargers next - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills rookie Skyler Bell could finally get his shot vs. Chargers with D.J. Moore, Keon Coleman questionable - newyorkupstate.com
10 Bills thoughts: How can Josh Allen beat Justin Herbert and the Chargers? - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Top Storylines for Bills vs. Chargers - BuffaloBills.com
6 Matchups That Will Decide Chargers’ Week 3 Game Against the Buffalo Bills - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
With potential opportunity Sunday, Joshua Palmer finds peace in route running - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Bills numbers to know: 4 noteworthy stats for meeting with Chargers - Buffalo News (subscription required)
’They’ve got some real talent’ | The Bills get ready for Week 3 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers - BuffaloBills.com
Bills towering offensive lineman admits Chargers linebacker once ‘terrified’ him - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills’ Next Opponent Presents Get-Right Opportunity for Ailing Defense - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills’ Defense Must Exploit Fatal Flaw in Los Angeles Chargers’ Offense - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Mitch Morse: Chargers Backs Against The Wall, Bills Offense Shining Through Two Weeks - BuffaloBills.com
Even more Bills news
Examining why it’s a good thing for the Bills that head coach Joe Brady considers himself Josh Allen’s “biggest hater.” Plus, Buffalo makes a few roster moves heading into the Chargers game; and a giant tribute to Allen makes its debut in downtown Buffalo.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 13: Terrel Bernard #8 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates fumble recovery during the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Joe Brady says he’s Josh Allen’s ‘biggest hater.’ Here’s why that’s good for the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Buffalo Bills sign Greg Dortch to the 53-man roster after defensive back lands on IR - newyorkupstate.com
Bills sign Greg Dortch from practice squad; place Jordan Hancock on IR - WGR 550
Bills place Jordan Hancock on IR; sign Greg Dortch to active roster - Buffalo News (subscription required)
Bills sign veteran receiver to 53-man roster, place defensive back on IR - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills sign WR Greg Dortch to active roster, place DB Jordan Hancock on IR - BuffaloBills.com
Bills Sign Wide Receiver to 53-Man Roster, Place Defensive Back on Injured Reserve - Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
Massive Josh Allen banner returns to downtown Buffalo before Bills’ Week 3 game - WGRZ
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
Should Bills fans be worried about Chargers dominant run defense? - Buffalo Rumblings
Bills vs. Chargers Friday injury report, Los Angeles very banged up - Buffalo Rumblings
Chargers safety group very thin for this Week 3 game vs. Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Skyler Bell seems likely to make his NFL debut in Week 3 vs. Chargers - Buffalo Rumblings
Bills elevate WR from practice squad, young DB heads to injured reserve list - Buffalo Rumblings
This strange coincidence ties Greg Rousseau to Chargers rookie Akheem Mesidor - Buffalo Rumblings
Are the Bills still near the top of the NFL in early-down passing? - Buffalo Rumblings
Can you guess this Bills defensive back in today’s in-5 trivia game - Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Rumblings
Week 3 Pregame Injury Report
This week they kept me busy, lots of injuried all over. Without further ado...
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Major injuries from past week to date:
GB starting WR Jayden Reed – Neck injury, unclear at the moment if he will play again this season
GB starting OT Zach Bako-Bewele – Patellar tendon tear, placed on IR
CHI starting QB Caleb Williams – Hamstring injury, ruled out for Week 3 from what I see
CHI backup QB Tyson Bagent - In concussion protocol
LAC backup TE David Njoku – Carted off with knee injury, placed on IR
NE starting OG Mike Onwenu – Broken ankle, placed on IR with
NE backup SAF Dell Pettus – Placed on IR
WAS starting QB Jayden Daniels – Dislocated elbow, unlikely to need surgery
NYG starting QB Jaxson Dart – Knee injury requiring surgery, out for season
NYG starting OLB Brian Burns – Ankle injury, to miss time
SEA starting OG Anthony Bradford – Placed on IR for knee and hip injuries
SF backup DT CJ West – Bone chip in knee – Placed on IR
NO starting OT Kelvin Banks – Ankle injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
CIN starting WR Andrei Iosivas – Torn ligament in thumb, placed on IR
ARI starting CB Will Johnson – Neck injury, placed on IR
IND starting WR Alec Pierce – Heel injury (reaggravated), placed on IR
CAR backup RB Jonathan Brooks – Core muscle surgery, placed on IR
NYJ starting DT David Onyemata – Groin injury, placed on IR
NYJ backup LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball – Placed on IR
NYJ backup WR Arian Smith – Knee injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
NYJ starting TE Mason Taylor – Thumb injury, week-to-week, likely out Week 3
DET backup (temp. starting) DB Avonte Maddux – Foot injury requiring surgery, placed on IR
ATL starting CB AJ Terrell – Groin injury, placed on IR
PHI starting TE Dallas Goedert – MCL sprain, likely to miss a few weeks
SF starting DE Nick Bosa – Calf injury, expected to miss a few weeks.
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Bills’ Recap and Look Ahead:
After a tough win in Week 1 against a healthier Texans and their historically stingy defense, a pretty much run-away game against a battered Lions team, the Bills are in good shape to face another reeling opponent. These are the games that they should win and look good doing so.
The Bills continue their stretch of good health this week so far. I have them projected for this game with a score of 6.50, which would be a great rebound from last week’s 15.50. Compared to their opponents, the Bills are very healthy across the board.
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Breakdown By Position:
QB: No worries here
OL: No worries here, just OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams (elbow) listed as questionable.
Skill Positions: Only minor concerns at this point are with WRs DJ Moore (shoulder) and Keon Coleman (ankle) as questionable.
DL: DT Ed Oliver looks finally ready to go, though still listed as questionable.
LB: Some injuries here to Terrell Bernard (knee), Joe Andreessen (knee), and Bradley Chubb (thumb) but nothing holding them back, all three carry no game designations.
DB: Backup DB Jordan Hancock (hamstring) being downgraded to DNP Thursday and Friday and ruled out is worrying as he can handle dual responsibilities in a short-handed secondary. The rest of the group looks good though.
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Opponents Recap and Look Ahead:
The Chargers have quickly become one of the more injured teams in the AFC. I have them projected with an injury score of 41.75 for this week’s game, jumping up from 24.00 last week and entering the “red” range on my score spectrum. With many key players out and playing injured there is plenty for the Bill’s offense and defense to take advantage of.
They’ve struggled and lost against two teams that both went 0.176 last season making them the first team to do so since I think the 1926 Racine Tornadoes (who folded the after the season). They’ve been without key starters and unsurprisingly, at least to me, McDaniel has struggled to get his over-complicated playbook installed on a team with less talent at the skill positions than he actually had at times in Miami.
They have a grueling gauntlet of games ahead after this week’s matchup with the Bills. They are desperate, backed into a corner, and staring down a real possibility of starting 0-6 or worse. All that said, I think the Bills handle them easily. There are plenty of coaches and players still here that are familiar with McDaniels’ offensive (aren’t puns fun?) tendencies.
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Breakdown By Position:
QB: Friday addition of backup QB Trey Lance (groin) with a game designation as questionable.
OL: Starting center Tyler Biadasz is on IR, starting LG Kayode Awosika (fibula) has been ruled out, LT Rashawn Slater (groin) has been practicing, starting RG Cole Strange (pectoral) has been practicing, and starting RT Joe Alt has just been struggling. They have rookie Jake Slaughter starting at center in place of Biadasz. This is another OL in shambles that our DL should feast on. Backup OT Trey Pipkins (knee) has been ruled out.
Skill positions: Starting TE Charlie Kolar (forearm) is out, backup TE David Njoku is on IR. WR Ladd McConkey has been WR3 so far based on production through the first two weeks and has had an injury to his ribs though is practicing. Backup and rookie WR Brenen Thompson (quadricep) has been ruled out.
DL: One of their anchors inside, starting DL Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring), has been ruled out. The rest of the DL looks good to go though.
LB: Starting OLB Tuli Tuipulotu (hamstring) has been limited in practice but is a go and starting LB Denzel Perryman is on IR.
DB: Starting SAF Derwin James Jr. (finger) looks to be good to go. His partner back there, starting SAF, Elijah Molden (hamstring) has been ruled out for the second straight week now. The starting CBs all look good to go. Backup CB Deane Leonard (abdomen) has been ruled out for the third straight week.
Looking at the roster comparisons, there's an awful lot of red for the Chargers showing.
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