Week 11: Bills vs. Chargers
at
Sunday, Nov. 19th
4:05pm ET
This week's game has plenty of intrigue. The Bills travel to the West Coast where they normally don't play well, in a game that is their biggest of the year as their season is at a crossroads. Add to that the first start of rookie Nathan Peterman's career and the up in the air status of his counterpart Phillip Rivers who has never missed a game but is suffering from a concussion. Top that off with the man that was snubbed for the Bills head coaching job roaming the opposite sidelines in Anthony Lynn. Needless to say this game will be interesting.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (5-4) vs. L.A. Chargers (3-6)
Place: StubHub Center
TV/Radio: Network: FOX; DirecTV: 713; Sirius: 119; SiriusXM: 380
Announcers: Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, and Laura Okmin
Spread: Chargers by 4½
Series: Chargers lead 22-12-2 (Bills 2-0 in Playoffs)
Streak: Chargers Won 2
Last Meeting: Chargers 22-10 in Buffalo (2014)
Chargers Offense Rush (26th); Pass (13th); overall (18th)
Chargers Defense Rush (32nd); Pass (11th); overall (19th)
Bills Offense Rush (15th); Pass (30th); overall (28th)
Bills Defense Rush (22nd); Pass (21st); overall (25th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are getting healthy their biggest injury question marks heading into this game is Jerry Hughes and Cordy Glenn. Hughes suffered a shin/calf injury against the Saints and has missed practice time this week. Glenn has been battling ankle and foot injuries all year and is currently sidelined. Mike Tolbert is suffering from a hamstring injury.

The Chargers biggest worry is Phillip Rivers who put himself in concussion protocol but all signs are encouraging for him to play. He needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist. DE Chris McCain and OLB James Onwaula have missed practice time with quad injuries. LB Hayes Pullard (Neck)and T Joe Barksdale (Foot) have also missed practices this week.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

QB Nate Peterman vs. FS Tre Boston:
Peterman has more of a gun slinger mentality than Tyrod Taylor so he may make mistakes. He has to watch for Boston who has three interceptions on the season to lead the Chargers.

LT Dion Dawkins and RT Jordan Mills vs. DEs Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram:
I'm gonna assume Dawkins starts again for Glenn who can't stay on the field this year. The Bills tackles will have a big test against the two Charger defensive ends who have combined for a whopping 18 sacks this year.

DT Kyle Williams vs. RB Melvin Gordon:
The Bills need to stop the run and it starts with the wiley veteran Williams who needs to lead the line in pluggin up the running lanes against Gordon who is a quality back.

DB Tre'Davious White vs. WR Keenan Allen:
White may be hitting the rookie wall a bit as he has struggled in recent weeks a bit. Allen is the main receiver for the Chargers so look for White to shadow him some in this game.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Get Peterman In A Rhythm: They will be nerves for the young QB but if he can establish a rhythm earlier with some quick completions that may settle him down and allow him to have a good debut.

2. Tackle Better: The tackling has been terrible the past two days and they need to shore that up for a chance at beating anybody.

3. Hold The Line: The Bills have been destroyed in the trenches the last two weeks as both the offensive and defensive lines have been blown off the ball. They need to at least hold their own on both sides are it will be another long day.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

This game has so many storylines it makes it tough to pick a winner. I think Lynn will have his team fired up to beat his former team that wouldn't hire him. That along with the Bills horrible West Coast record and the turmoil this week gives the Chargers the advantage. The Bills need to prove it to me that they can play better after two terrible performances in a row:
Chargers 24, Bills 10

Season Prediction Record: (4-5)
Season Record Against The Spread: (2-5-2)

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