The Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers are set to square off this weekend in a matchup of old AFL foes on totally different paths in 2026. The Bills are riding an offensive hot streak so far, sprinting out to a 2-0 start thanks in part to an NFL-leading 38.5 points per game. The Chargers, meanwhile, have struggled to find rhythm on offense, dropping both of their games so far by the same score, 26-14.
With the New England Patriots coming to town next week, this week’s matchup has all the makings
of the quintessential trap game. The Chargers desperately need to avoid an 0-3 start, while the Bills will be plenty motivated to stay on top of what should be a very competitive AFC playoff picture as the fall turns to winter.
This week’s edition of “five players to watch” has us taking some liberties. We really have four players and an entire chunk of the defense to discuss this week, and while those may be the ones we’ve chosen, they aren’t the only keys to victory for the Bills this week.
Without further ado, here are five Bills—and then some—to watch this week.
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WR Khalil Shakir
DJ Moore showed out in his Week One debut with the team. Keon Coleman picked up the slack in Week Two when Moore went down with an injury. Given that both Moore (shoulder) and Coleman (ankle) are dealing with injuries this week, there is some level of uncertainty as to what Buffalo’s receiver group will look like on Sunday. Moore has already said that he’ll play, as he termed his injury a matter of pain tolerance, but Coleman has yet to practice this week. If we assume that Moore will suit up, albeit in a limited capacity, and Coleman will sit, that means that Buffalo will need No. 10 to step up. Shakir has put together two modest games, combining for seven catches and 88 yards on 12 targets. All of those numbers trail tight end Dalton Kincaid, and he’s behind Kincaid and Moore in receiving yards. If there were ever a day to wager that Shakir will see an uptick in targets, this is the one, as Los Angeles enters play ranked No. 28 in passing defense with a nickel corner in Tarheeb Still that can be beaten by strong slot play.
WR Joshua Palmer
Speaking of wideouts who might see more targets this week, the former Charger could be in line for some more work if Moore is limited and Coleman is out. Palmer has made the most of his five targets this season, catching two long touchdown passes—a 34-yard strike to win the game against the Houston Texans and a 43-yard hookup to give the Bills a two-score lead against the Detroit Lions. While Palmer has been boom-or-bust, he’s only played 35% of the team’s offensive snaps this year. I’d expect a slight increase this week, and the Bills might look to extend his season-opening touchdown streak given that he’s playing against his old team.
DL DeWayne Carter
Whether Ed Oliver plays or not, I’m interested in seeing whether Carter can continue his solid level of play. Admittedly, I thought he was going to be a late-summer cut after a poor first season and a second year spent on injured reserve thanks to an Achilles tear; however, Carter has come in and proven to be a valuable part of the defensive line rotation so far. Sure, he’s only made three tackles on 49 defensive snaps, but at his position, it’s about doing the dirty work to ensure that the players at the next level of the defense have room to make plays. Buffalo’s run defense looks to be much improved this season in the early going, and Carter has contributed positively to that improvement. Hopefully, he can rotate in with Oliver this weekend, but if Ed can’t go, Carter has proven that he can pick up the slack.
CB Christian Benford
Yes, I’m looking at him again. It hasn’t been a great start for Buffalo’s top corner, which is something that we said last season, as well. Does it just take Benford some time to settle into a new year? Or, is the switch to Jim Leonhard’s defensive scheme forcing Benford to play in a way that isn’t his strength? The Chargers’ offense has struggled mightily, but they have some talented receivers, including Quentin Johnson and Ladd McConkey. McConkey, in particular, is someone who could give Benford trouble, as he can line up in the slot or outside, and he relies more on his twitchy route-running and quickness than he does straight-line speed. I’m interested to see how Buffalo defends the pass this week, and I’m looking for big improvements after a mini-bye to self-scout. Part of that improvement involves Benford playing up to his standard.
Coverage and Communication
Okay, maybe this is a bit of a cop-out, but I really want to see improvement from the entire back-end of the Buffalo defense in both coverage and communication. Truthfully, I think that most of the problems with the latter are a result of the former, and with time, these are issues that will resolve as the players gain more familiarity in the new scheme. As much as the Chargers have struggled on offense, they have talented personnel. Justin Herbert is a good NFL quarterback. Omarion Hampton is a solid NFL running back. We’ve already mentioned some of the talent at receiver, as well. Injury issues on the offensive line should allow Buffalo’s pass rush to thrive, which is something that the team has already experienced this year; if the rush and coverage can finally start to marry, then Buffalo’s defense could take a giant leap forward. I don’t expect perfection, but I’d like to see fewer coverage breakdowns this week. Make the Chargers’ pass-catchers win as a result of winning the physical matchup rather than giving them free space as a result of mental mistakes. One of Buffalo’s defensive backs needs to make a play on the ball, and my proverbial money is on second-year man Maxwell Hairston pulling in the team’s first interception of 2026 this week.
