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Week 11: Bills vs. Chargers
The Bills are looking to build on their biggest win of the year, a home win over Kansas City. Now they head west to face another AFC West team as they face the well rested Chargers. San Diego is coming off their bye and are a much stronger team than their 5-4 record indicates. They have been the victim of tough scheduling where they have faced many teams coming off of their bye weeks, now the shoe is on the other foot.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Matchup: |
Buffalo (4-5) vs. San Diego (5-4) |
Place: |
Qualcomm Stadium |
Television: |
CBS |
Announcers: |
Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker, & Scott Kaplan |
Spread: |
Chargers by 10 |
Series: |
Chargers lead 19-11-2 (Bills 2-1 in playoffs) |
Last Meeting: |
Bills 20-13 in Buffalo (2002) |
Chargers Off: |
Rush (10th); Pass (11th); overall (9th) |
Chargers Def: |
Rush (1st); Pass (30th); overall (21st) |
Bills Offense: |
Rush (13th); Pass (29th); overall (29th) |
Bills Defense: |
Rush (31st); Pass (2nd); overall (13th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills may be without the services of Kelly Holcomb. He suffered a severe concussion on Sunday against KC. Even if he can go, chances are that J.P. Losman will start based on his two TD performance against the Chiefs. Troy Vincent injured his shoulder for the second week in a row and is being re-evaluated. Terrence McGee has been hampered by a strained hamstring and will be limited in practice leading up to this game but should be ok to play. Sam Adams is most likely expected back after missing the Chiefs game with fluid on the knee. Greg Jerman likely will remain out with a severe high ankle sprain.
The Chargers are expected to be without FB Andrew Pinnock and TE Ryan Krause. Starting LT Roman Oben has a foot injury and also may not play. If he doesn't Leander Jordan will start in his place. LB Steve Foley is also questionable at best with an abdomen injury.
Bills Daily Injury Page
KEY MATCHUPS
RB Willis McGahee vs. LB Donnie Edwards: McGahee looks to bounce back from a poor performance against a tough Chiefs defense. Now he faced the number one ranked run defense so things will get even tougher. Edwards leads a talented front seven that plays mostly a 3-4 defense that McGahee hasn't seen much of.
WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Drayton Florence: With the Chargers struggling on defense the Bills are likely to hit the air and this is a very favorable matchup for Moulds.
DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Leander Jordan: With Oben likely out Jordan would get the start against the Bills hottest player. Schobel has five sacks in his last three games and will be licking his chops going against a backup or a very banged up starter.
WR Lee Evans vs. CB Quentin Jammer: Evans is coming off a big game and hopes to build that into another big second half. He has a chance to do that against a somewhat weak Charger secondary.
LBs London Fletcher vs RB LaDainian Tomlinson: The Bills continue to struggle against the run and they now face the best back on their schedule. Fletcher is coming off a huge game and needs to watch for Tomlinson running, receiving, or passing the football.
SS Lawyer Milloy vs. TE Antonio Gates: Milloy had a big battle last week with Tony Gonzalez and gave up yards but not the big play. This week he faces the "other best tight end" in the league. Gates is a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Milloy may get some help on Gates since he's the Chargers best receiver.
GAME PLAN
When The Bills Have The Ball: They need to attack the weak point of the Charger defense, and that is the secondary. Look for the Bills to throw the ball early and often and take many shots downfield. If they are successful, that should loosen up the running game.
When The Chargers Have The Ball: The Chargers will look to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers, Tomlinson and Gates. Look for them to run and throw to Tomlinson on a consistent basis and try to the open up the middle of the field for Gates.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
The Bills are showing some confidence now after the near win in New England and the impressive win over the Chiefs. The Chargers though are well rested and really need this game as this is one they have chalked up in the win column since it's one of the easier games on their schedule. They won't let it get away especially against a team with an 0-4 road record:
Chargers 23, Bills 10
Season Prediction Record: (5-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-5)
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