Bills vs. Chargers: Preview, score prediction for Week 11
By Derek Snyder
Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills meet up in an AFC battle this weekend in the StubHub Center. What once looked like an easy win for the Bills, now looks like a barn-burner, as Buffalo announced Tyrod Taylor would be benched for Nathan Peterman in Week 11.
It’s tough enough for a football team to travel from one coast to the other, but now the Bills will be doing that, knowing this will be Peterman’s first-ever start in professional football. Needless to say, this one could get awfully dicey for the boys in blue and red this Sunday afternoon.
That said, take a look at two keys to victory for each team in Week 11.
Chargers Keys to Victory:
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Feed Melvin Gordon: As you may already know, the Bills defense gave up nearly 300 rushing yards and a total of six rushing touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10. While the Saints definitely have a good offense, I don’t believe anyone thought they would have that kind of success against the Buffalo defense.
That said, Los Angeles must keep the same game-plan as New Orleans, and force the Bills defense to stop Melvin Gordon. Not to mention, with Philip Rivers ailing, running the football is the best plan of attack in Week 11.
Get Pressure on the Nathan Peterman: It’s been made clear that Bills head coach Sean McDermott trusts Peterman’s ability under center moving forward. However, that doesn’t mean everything will be sunshine and rainbows in the rookie’s first game as Buffalo’s starting quarterback. Look for Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram to have a field day getting after this kid. Unless LeSean McCoy starts to break loose, it could be a great day for Chargers fans at the StubHub Center.
Bills Keys to Victory:
Feed LeSean McCoy: The recipe for success in Week 11 is eerily similar for both of these squads, as the Bills must lean on LeSean McCoy against the Chargers. Sure, the Bills were the defense that gave up six rushing touchdowns a week ago, but it’s Los Angeles who currently is the worst NFL teams against the run in 2017. As Peterman will still be learning the ins and outs of the pro game, McCoy is vital for this Bills offense to keep moving the chains.
Win the Time of Possession: Honestly, this may be the most important key for Buffalo over these next seven weeks of play. Now that the team is starting a rookie quarterback, with a defense that is struggling to keep it together, the Bills must find every way possible to keep the football in the hands of the offense. If Peterman can’t move the chains and Buffalo’s defense can’t stop the run, it could be a very long second-half of 2017 for coach McDermott.
Odds
Point Spread: Los Angeles -4.5
Moneyline: Buffalo -115, Los Angeles -105
Over/Under: 43
Next: 5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 11
Prediction
After hearing that the Bills have benched quarterback Tyrod Taylor for Nathan Peterman, I have completely changed my prediction for this weekend entirely. Given the poor performance against the run last weekend for Buffalo, I give the Chargers a slight edge in this match-up at home. Look for Melvin Gordon to rebound from his unproductive game in Week 10, by having well over 100 yards in the StubHub Center on Sunday.
Pick: Buffalo Bills: 14, Los Angeles Chargers: 18