The Buffalo Bills haven’t played well of late, but still sit in the second wild card spot with a 5-4 record through nine games. They can hold on to that position with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but will be underdogs on the road in the Week 11 matchup.
The AFC is a muddled mess, as Buffalo is one of only six teams above .500 at this point. There are a lot of teams on their tail in the playoff race, and Los Angeles may be able to rejoin that picture with a victory in this one even though it is only 3-6 on the season at this point.
Buffalo needs to find a way to get back on track after a frustrating few weeks, but it won’t be easy against a Chargers team that is better than its record.
Watch this regular season Week 11 matchup live on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 4:05 p.m. ET at StubHub Center.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo Bills (Check Back Later)
Los Angeles Chargers (Check Back Later)
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
The Chargers should be the home favorites if they have their quarterback, but there is some doubt about the availability of star Philip Rivers. This is the biggest storyline of the week as these teams are pretty close in talent level, and a missing Rivers would likely tip the scales in favor of the Bills.
The scoring total will also be affected as the Chargers are much more potent with their quarterback in place.
Injury Report
Rivers — The Chargers quarterback was placed in concussion protocol Monday following the Chargers 20-17 overtime loss to the Jacksonville. It’s unclear when Rivers suffered the injury, but he reported his symptoms the following day, prompting the league-required protocol. Rivers has been the go-to guy for the Chargers for more than a decade with 185 consecutive starts, but it’s unclear at this point whether he will play against the Bills. Kellen Clemens would be the likely starter if Rivers is unable to play on Sunday.
Jerry Hughes — The Bills veteran defensive end left Sunday’s game against New Orleans with a shin injury and is considered day-to-day. Like Rivers, Hughes has avoided injury for many years, not having missed a game for the Bills since 2011. He has 24 total tackles and three sacks this season.
Zay Jones — Buffalo’s rookie receiver missed the Week 10 matchup against the Saints with an ankle injury. Jones had seven catches for 53 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago against the Jets before getting sidelined with the injury. The Bills don’t throw the ball a lot but he is trying to become a bigger part of the offense if he can get healthy.
Cordy Glenn — The BIlls left tackle is still out with an ankle injury. He has missed three games this year after sustaining the injury last season after re-injuring it last week and it’s unclear how long he will be sidelined this time.
Player To Watch
81. That’s the number of points the Bills have given up over their past two games, which were blowout losses to the Jets and the Saints. New York is one of the least talented teams in the NFL but still dominated in a 34-21 win, and New Orleans stepped on the has from start to finish, pasting the Bills, 47-10.
Buffalo had some serious problems stopping the run last time out and must keep Melvin Gordon in check.
Free ATS Pick
If Rivers doesn’t play, all bets are off, but the thinking is that he will be able to participate in this one. If he does, the Chargers should be able to come away with the home win. Don’t be fooled by the record. Los Angeles is better than it looks and has the advantage of playing at home.
The Bills will watch their grasp on the second wild card spot slip further with a loss against the Chargers.
NFL Odds: Chargers 27, Bills 23
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