Serving Bills Fans Since 1998 Home BILLS DAILY GAMEDAY PREVIEW GAMEDAY HOMEPAGE Week 15: Bills vs. Chargers Preview The Bills playoff hopes were dashed last week in New England, they now have to rely on pride the rest of the way. It starts with a chance to put a crimp into the playoff hopes of former GM John Butler when the San Diego Chargers come to Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday. The Bills have one thing to watch for this week, this game is important to the owner who would love nothing better than to stick it to his former general manager. The Chargers are coming off a devastating loss at home to the Raiders hurting their playoff chances a bit. They will be hungry to get back on track. Facts and Figures Matchup: San Diego (8-5) at Buffalo (6-7) Date: Sunday December 15, 2002 Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium Time: 1:00pm Television: CBS Announcers: Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcotts Spread: Bills by 3 Series: Chargers leads 18-8-2 (Bills 2-1 in playoffs) Last Meeting: San Diego 27-24 in San Diego (2001) Chargers Off: Rush (7th); Pass (23rd); overall (19th) Chargers Def: Rush (9th); Pass (31st); overall (29th) Bills Offense: Rush (22nd); Pass (2nd); overall (6th) Bills Defense: Rush (31st); Pass (7th); overall (17th) Injury Update The Bills continue to have a short injury report. Jonas Jennings may not be available with a high ankle sprain. He is listed as questionable if he can't go Marcus Price will go in his place. Not much of a drop off there. Dominique Stevenson is suffering from a mild concussion. If he can't go it will hurt the special teams a bit. The Chargers are a bit more banged up. WR Curtis Conway has been out of the lineup with a shoulder injury and may miss this game also. They also have three offensive linemen listed as questionable including starting left tackle Damion McIntosh who has an ankle injury. For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page. Key Matchups RT Mike Williams vs. LE Marcellus Wiley: The former Bill makes his first trip back to Buffalo and will look for a big game against the Bills prize rookie who has suffered some growing pains in recent weeks. MLB London Fletcher vs. RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson may be the best back in the game today and it will take all of Fletcher's quickness and alertness to help keep him in check. RE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Damion McIntosh or Ed Ellis: If McIntosh's play is hampered by his ankle injury or if he can't go, Schobel may have a big game. He desperately needs one and the Bills desperately need sacks. This may be the week that they get them. RB Travis Henry vs. MLB Donnie Edwards: Edwards is a rugged veteran who is playing well in San Diego. Henry usually kicks his game up a notch against the top backs in the league and he will get another chance this week. WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Quentin Jammer: This could be a mismatch as both of the Bills receivers should have good games against a weak Chargers secondary. Game Plan When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will try to run but the Chargers weakness is their pass defense. Look for Drew Bledsoe to try to make some amends for last week's performance and have a big day through the air. When The Chargers Have The Ball: Their offense is not very creative. It is Tomlinson, Tomlinson, and more Tomlinson. It usually works, and it should have no problems working against the Bills dismal run defense. Bills Daily Prediction This game has a lot of subplots. The Bills are out of it but expect them to come ready to play since they didn't quit last year, what makes you think they would quit this year when they are improved? The Chargers are coming in to town in a foul mood after last week's debacle to the Raiders. The returning ex-Bills will also be pumped up for their return to Buffalo. Both teams should have success moving the ball, the Bills through the air, the Chargers on the ground. The Chargers need it more, they probably will want it more, and they will get the win in a wild one: Chargers 31, Bills 28 Season Prediction Record: (9-4) Season Record Against The Spread: (9-4) Complete Statistical Matchup Game Analysis and Review - Coming Sunday Night! Positional Breakdown and Grades - Coming Sunday Night! Gameday Homepage 2001 Gameday Homepage 2000 Gameday Homepage Back to Bills Daily homepage Articles Index