LA Chargers: Getting to know the Week 12 opponent, the Buffalo Bills
By Devon Auriemma
Prediction
The Chargers have shown that they can compete with most teams in this league and just like their season has gone, we could expect another close game. Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen continue to dominate.
It’s just a matter of time until this team figures out how to win close games against better opponents. Chris Harris Jr. and Austin Ekeler could both be making their return this week which will be huge for the Chargers as they have been dealing with injuries to key players throughout the season.
Allen and the Bills offense has been great, but their defense is preventing them from being a legitimate super bowl contender. Allen has already surpassed his 2019 touchdown total and is just over 200 yards from passing that as well.
Allen has also increased his completion percentage by 10%. Allen has improved a lot from last season and has given the Bills a real shot to win the AFC East for the first time since 1995.
Even though the Chargers got back on track this past week, the defense collapsed in the second half and almost allowed Flacco and the Jets to come back from an 18-point halftime deficit. Josh Allen will be a tough challenge for a Chargers team that has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks and has tackling issues.
This game has shootout potential. Both offenses have been great through the first 11 weeks of the season, but both defenses have had their struggles. The Bills get the slight edge in this matchup though.
Some of the Chargers’ biggest weaknesses are tackling and defending the deep ball, which are things that Josh Allen can exploit. I expect Allen to take quite a few deep shots which could be successful as we’ve seen Casey Hayward get beat multiple times over the course of the season. They will likely have designed runs for Allen too.
In Week 1, Joe Burrow ran for 46 yards and a touchdown and in Week 2 Patrick Mahomes took six carries for 54 yards. Allen has a big frame and will be tough to bring down. The Chargers lose another close game and move to 3-8 on the year.
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