After facing two tough opponents to open the season, the Buffalo Bills finally get a break from the NFL schedule in Week 3.
Buffalo (2-0) hosts the struggling Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Highmark Stadium, and the Bolts are threatening to blow a fuse in head coach Jim Harbaugh's brain.
The Chargers lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, 26-14, thanks to a whopping six fumbles and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the Bills blew up the Detroit Lions, 41-31.
So far, no NFL analysts have picked the Chargers to win, though it's still early in the week.
Bills vs. Chargers odds, betting lines
(Odds as of Tuesday afternoon)
- Buffalo is a 7-point favorite.
- The over/under is 50 points.
- The moneyline: Bills -350 (bet $350 to win $100), Chargers +290 (bet $100 to win $290).
Democrat and Chronicle: Bills 30, Chargers 21
Sal Maiorana writes: "Given the dire straits the Chargers have put themselves in with their 0-2 start, the Bills figure to get a highly motivated
and desperate team coming to Highmark Stadium, so this one will probably be a close game most of the way. The Chargers’ defense has some talented pieces and it just stifled talented Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty at 2.3 yards per carry. However, the 38-year-old Cousins went 19 of 29 for 253 yards and three TDs, so imagine what Josh Allen might be able to do, especially if DJ Moore can return to play.
"Defensively, the Bills are still trying to come together after getting torched for 62 points in the first two games, and Herbert is certainly a dangerous player if he gets on a roll, but the Chargers may be withouttwo injured TEs in this game, and their offensive line is struggling right now, and that’s a concern."
AZCentral.com: Bills 33, Chargers 17
Jeremy Cluff writes: "Justin Herbert and the Chargers opened the season with losses to the Cardinals and Raiders at home and now face the Bills on the road. Josh Allen and Buffalo will roll to 3-0."
Sports Illustrated: Take the OVER
Iain MacMillan writes: "The Bills' offense looks unstoppable, but not enough people have been talking about how bad they've been defensively. They have allowed 31 points in each of their first two games, giving up 5.5 yards per play and ranking 27th in opponent EPA per play. That's enough to give me pause to lay a touchdown on them.
"That's why, instead, I'm going to bet the OVER in this game. Neither team's defense has been good through the first two weeks, and I expect some eventual improvement from Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense.
"Let's sit back and root for points in this one.
"Pick: OVER 50.5 (-105)"
SPORTSNAUT: Bills 31, Chargers 21
Matt Johnson writes: "The Los Angeles Chargers will be taking the field in Week 3 with their backs against the proverbial wall thanks to a daunting schedule early in the season. Unfortunately for Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, this is a rough matchup for Los Angeles. We haven’t seen enough from the Chargers pass rush this season to have any real confidence in their ability to make Josh Allen uncomfortable and he’s put up MVP-caliber numbers against better defenses. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo will be able to exploit the interior of the Chargers offensive line. Buffalo will demonstrate why it’s the superior team, winning at home by multiple scores."
ESPN: Bills win
ESPN Analytics give the Bills a 77.8% win probability.
Dimers: Bills 29, Chargers 21
Dimers writes: "The numbers give the Chargers a win probability of 25.1%, while the Bills have a win probability of 74.9%."
Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 32 years.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL experts jump on bandwagon: 6 early Bills vs. Chargers predictions
