With the Buffalo Bills defeating the Detroit Lions in their first game at the new Highmark Stadium last Thursday night, the team stays at home this week for a Sunday 1:00 pm start against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hopefully, the team will be well rested for the game, and some of the starters who had injuries will be ready to play.
This week's game against the Chargers has five important matchups to look out for, and the main one is a quarterback battle between two of the biggest stars in the game right now, with Buffalo's Josh Allen looking to outduel Justin Herbert and put on a show in front of another loud crowd at home.
5 main battles to watch for between Bills and Chargers
1.) QB battle: Josh Allen vs. Justin Herbert
When quarterbacks Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are ready to do battle against each other on the football field, you can throw out the team records and individual projections right into the trash can.
This season, Allen has led his team to its third straight 2-0 start, with this year's team finally having a No.1 receiver in D.J. Moore. He currently has a 66.7 completion percentage with 582 yards passing and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-0 in two games.
He also finds a way every year to keep improving his running ability, despite being 30 years old. He currently has 92 yards rushing on 20 carries and four touchdowns.
After outdueling both Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Allen will look to outduel another top quarterback in Justin Herbert (however, he's not playing like a top one right now).
While Herbert came out of the gate flying in his rookie season, it seems NFL defenses are now starting to figure out how to neutralize him and head coach Jim Harbaugh's offensive system.
This season, Herbert is off to a disappointing 0-2 start, and only completing 59.3%, for 401 yards and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 2-3.
It's also part of the equation that Herbert has struggled with star slot receiver Ladd McConkey, who had a rib injury going into Week 2. While he did manage to play, he didn't help the offense against the Raiders.
Even so, both Allen and Herbert will look to throw past analytics and stats out the window and try to win the game in an old-fashioned quarterback duel.
2.) James Cook vs. Chargers run defense
The Bills' offense brings more versatility and aggression under new head coach Joe Brady. And when the Bills have one of the best and most underpaid running backs in the league, why not let James continue to cook?
After James Cook rushed for 135 yards on 21 carries, he still is the main back in this new version of Brady's offense. He is currently second in the league in rushing yards with 192 and is proving why he's outperforming his 4-year, $48 million contract he signed right before the 2025 seaosn.
This week should be no exception, as the Chargers' run defense is nowhere near Buffalo's rushing defense, so expect Cook to get about 20-25 touches in this matchup.
3.) Bills wide receivers vs. Chargers secondary
The Bills this year have a talented and healthy wide receiving corps led by D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir. Together, both players have helped other teammates get open, including Joshua Palmer and yes, Keon Coleman.
The Chargers' secondary may have been suspect the first two games of the season, but it's still led by superstar safety Derwin James Jr., who will be tested in trying to contain these Bills' weapons in man coverage.
The Bills should try to let Allen throw his way to see if James is ready for the big show or not.
4.) Justin Herbert vs. Bills pass defense
Herbert has struggled so far to help this offense, led by a depleted receiving corps and a Chargers offense trying to adapt to a Mike McDaniel air raid and fast-paced scheme.
On the other hand, the Bills' pass defense after only two games is mediocre, but those two games were against C.J. Stroud and Jared Goff.
The Chargers' biggest strength is to run the ball on Buffalo, as their run defense is also key for them in this showdown.
If the Chargers can find a way to marry Herbert's passing and accuracy with Omarion Hampton's powerful, physical running style, then there is a chance for them to hand the Bills their first loss of the season.
5.) Chargers wide receivers vs. Bills secondary
The Chargers have a big task at hand in trying to target their wide receivers against a Bills secondary that is slowly transitioning from zone to man coverage.
It's been a mixed bag so far, as the Bills' cornerbacks have found a way to make key stops on third and long, but they've also at times gotten too handsy and have caused defensive holding penalties that have extended drives.
If the Chargers can find a way to get past the Bills in man coverage, then it will be a long day for the Bills' secondary in just the third game of the young NFL season.
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