Publisher Nick St. Denis, associate editor Dan Begnoche and senior writer Sean Donovan pick the Buffalo Bills' AFC home bout with the San Diego Chargers.
Dan's take:
Buffalo's ground game will face another solid foe in the Chargers this week, a game that could be quarterback E.J. Manuel's first true test this season. If the rushing attack stalls, Manuel may be forced to throw much more than he has in his first two games this season, an opportunity San Diego's secondary surely will be ready for. With Ryan Matthews out for an unforeseen amount time, expect Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense to stick with what they know best -- finding Antonio Gates.
Prediction: Chargers 23, Bills 17
Prediction: Chargers 23, Bills 17
Nick's take:With the Bills rolling along at 2-0 and the Chargers coming off a huge win over the Seahawks last week, both teams may be ripe for a letdown. Behind Manuel, Buffalo may have to play keep-up with a Rivers-led offense that put up 30 points against Seattle, though the cross-country trip to play an early game isn't a favorable spot for the Chargers. Home field advantage lifts the Bills in this one.
Prediction: Bills 21, Chargers 20
Sean's take:An emotional wave lifted the Bills to a 2-0 record last week, and count on the energy from the fast start to carry the team to a strong early season performance. Buffalo looks good in all phases so far this season, but this week they face a team high off a home win over the defending Super Bowl champions. It's never a good bet that the Chargers will be consistent one week to the next, but a second straight stellar performance from Rivers and the San Diego offense downs the Bills and removes them from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Prediction: Chargers 27 at Bills 21
Sean's take:An emotional wave lifted the Bills to a 2-0 record last week, and count on the energy from the fast start to carry the team to a strong early season performance. Buffalo looks good in all phases so far this season, but this week they face a team high off a home win over the defending Super Bowl champions. It's never a good bet that the Chargers will be consistent one week to the next, but a second straight stellar performance from Rivers and the San Diego offense downs the Bills and removes them from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Prediction: Chargers 27 at Bills 21
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