The Saturday game in week 16 between the Buffalo Bills (8-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) is characterized by the two teams heading in completely different directions.
Game Analysis
The Bills have won three of four games since firing offensive assistant coach Ken Dorsey, coming after a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys in week 15. The Bills are making a push at the end of the season to qualify for the playoffs in the American Football League.
In contrast, the Chargers are vying for a higher draft pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Following the embarrassment they faced last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Jeff Smith has been elevated to interim coach to help guide the team through the last three games.
Why There are No Commercials in the Fourth Quarter of the Bills vs. Chargers Game
No need to change the channel during the fourth quarter of the Bills vs. Chargers game.
The game is being broadcast exclusively on Peacock, which NBC Sports launched as “Peacock Holiday Exclusive.”
However, the broadcast will feature a unique aspect: no commercials during the fourth quarter. According to NBC Sports, there will be a 40% reduction in advertisements throughout the game, resulting in an estimated increase of 12 extra minutes of game-related content.
Bills 21, Chargers 13: Buffalo Extends Lead with Tush Push
The Bills successfully executed the “Tush Push” of the Eagles.
On third-and-one from the one-yard line, Josh Allen and the Bills ran the controversial play to reach the end zone. Allen’s short touchdown extended Buffalo’s lead to 21-13 with 1:28 left in the third quarter.
The Bills scored on three of four opportunities in the second half.
Allen has 186 passing yards, one passing touchdown, one interception, and two rushing touchdowns.
Who is Ahmed Fareed? Meet Maria Taylor’s Temporary Host
As host Maria Taylor begins her maternity leave – her last show was on Sunday before the week 15 matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens – NBC announced on Monday that Ahmed Fareed would temporarily take over the position.
Bills 14, Chargers 13: Los Angeles Settles for 3 After Josh Allen’s Turnover
The Chargers’ offense stumbled in the red zone, forcing them to settle for a 40-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker.
Los Angeles scored 10 points off two Buffalo opportunities.
Dicker made his two field goal attempts.
Josh Allen Throws His Fifteenth Interception of the Season
The Bills made their second turnover.
A deep pass from Josh Allen intended for Stefon Diggs was intercepted by Alohi Gilman, the Chargers’ safety, at the Los Angeles 42-yard line. Allen had Diggs open, but the pass – which Allen threw while running – was short of the receiver.
This was Allen’s fifteenth interception of the season, tying for the most this season.
Bills 14, Chargers 10: Buffalo Overcomes Slow Start to Reach Halftime
The Chargers jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but the Bills responded by scoring 14 unanswered points to close out the first half.
On the final possession for the Bills in the half, Josh Allen hit wide receiver Gabe Davis with a 20-yard pass. Following four plays, Allen rushed into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown. Allen’s score capped off a 63-yard, 8-play drive for Buffalo at the end of the first half.
The Bills totaled 186 yards and Los Angeles recorded 150 yards in the first half.
Finished
The Bills sent kicks for two in the opening drives and Deontay Hardy lost the ball while returning the kick. Despite the slow start and delivery, the Bills managed to recover by scoring touchdowns in their last two drives.
Allen has 124 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.
As for the Chargers, Easton Stick passed for 101 yards and has one rushing touchdown.
Chargers 10, Bills 7: Bills make a comeback in the game after Josh Allen connects with Gabe Davis
The Bills were still scoreless in the first half until Josh Allen found Gabe Davis on an explosive 57-yard pass. It cut the score to 10-7 in favor of the Chargers with 9:02 remaining in the second quarter.
Allen started the game completing 5 of 9 passes for 95 yards to lead Buffalo’s offense. So far, the Bills have not solved the Chargers’ run defense issue.
For Davis, 2023 marks the fourth consecutive season in which he has scored at least six touchdowns.
Chargers 10, Bills 0: Easton Stick extends Chargers’ lead to double digits
The Chargers started with a surprising start.
They capitalized on the short field after a Buffalo turnover, covering 27 yards in four plays. Los Angeles scored a touchdown on a one-yard rush by quarterback Easton Stick.
The Chargers scored two touchdowns on three opportunities in the opening.
Chargers make a big special teams play
The Chargers approached the red zone as the first quarter ended thanks to a Buffalo special teams penalty.
AJ Finley forced Deontay Hardy to fumble, and Amin Ogunbiyi-Mega recovered the ball at the 27-yard line of the Bills. Easton Stick hit Gerald Everett for 15 yards to bring the ball to the 12-yard line of the Bills by the end of the first quarter.
Chargers 3, Bills 0: Exciting end to Chargers’ first drive
Easton Stick and the Chargers had a good start.
Stick led the Chargers on a 14-play, 90-yard drive that ended with a short 20-yard field goal by kicker Cameron Dicker.
Stick completed five passes during the Chargers’ opening series. Rookie Quentin Johnston had one catch for 21 yards.
Stefon Diggs injured on first play but returns
Bills star Stefon Diggs was injured on Buffalo’s first offensive play. Diggs was injured after being tackled by Chargers defender Derwin James following a short reception. Diggs managed to run off the field. He missed only one play. The Bills were forced to punt after a few plays.
When does the Bills vs. Chargers game start?
The Bills vs. Chargers game starts at 8 PM ET on Saturday, December 23, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
How can I watch or stream the Bills vs. Chargers game?
The Bills vs. Chargers game will be streamed live on Peacock.
This is the first regular-season NFL game to be exclusively shown on Peacock. Peacock – which streams all “Sunday Night Football” games aired on NBC – will also broadcast an AFC playoff game on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
Bills vs. Chargers: Predictions and Odds
The Bills are the favored team to win against the Chargers, according to NFL betting numbers from BetMGM.
Spread: Bills (-12)
Moneyline: Bills (-700); Chargers (+550)
Over/Under: 44
USA TODAY Sports team predictions for this game:
Lorenzo Reyes: Bills 29, Chargers 14 – It will be interesting to see how the Chargers bounce back from firing Brandon Staley. Often teams can get a slight boost the following week after a coaching change. But Buffalo is red-hot and seems to be the most dangerous team right now in the NFL, while the Chargers are still starting with Easton Stick. Logic says to support the stronger team, even with the big line.
Tyler
Bills: 31, Chargers: 13 – The Bills are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. Meanwhile, the Chargers, who have fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco, are already thinking about next season. One team is vying for a playoff spot, while the other is playing for pride and simultaneously pondering holiday plans. We know how this game will go.
Sveed Dean: Bills 27, Chargers 13 – The Chargers embarrassed themselves last Thursday against the Raiders, and the end of the year cannot come quickly enough. Meanwhile, the Bills see the path to the playoffs within their reach and should win easily in Los Angeles.
Victoria Hernandez: Bills 27, Chargers 19 – Buffalo has a lot of momentum after a surprising win. Josh Allen admitted he didn’t have an outstanding performance, but it was perfectly acceptable for James Cook to carry the Bills. Los Angeles doesn’t have enough tools to keep pace. This is a huge spread for an away game where the Bills have to travel across the country, so take the finances.
Jordan Mendoza: Bills 33, Chargers 13 – It may be good that this game is only available on Peacock, as it might not be worth watching. The Chargers took a hard hit last week, and it won’t be easier against an offense that has found its rhythm. Buffalo will not make this game competitive and will win their third straight game.
Players Not Participating in Today’s Bills Game
Players not participating in today’s game.
Bills: Players not participating in the game.
Chargers: Players not participating in the game.
Who is Interim Chargers Coach Jeff Smith?
After the firing of Chargers head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco following the team’s 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, outside linebackers coach Jeff Smith was promoted to interim head coach.
Smith, 55, is a coach with 32 years of experience, including 12 in the NFL. He served as the outside linebackers coach for the Chargers in 2022 and 2023. Previously, he was the defensive line coach for the Chargers for six seasons (2016-2021). Before joining the Chargers (when the team was considered to be based in San Diego), Smith had other experiences in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans (2014-15 as defensive line coach) and Buffalo Bills (2010-12 as defensive line coach).
Derwin James Hosts Senior Dance Party
You’re never too old to get your groove on.
In October, Derwin James, a safety for the Chargers, organized “Derwin Disco” at the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, a community center for seniors in Los Angeles. His goal was to bring joy to the often-forgotten residents.
James wore a curly wig and donned a colorful jacket and wide white pants for the party, which was attended by about 100 GenSpace members. He took selfies, led the “Y.M.C.A,” and danced with many guests individually.
Betting Tips for Saturday Night’s Bills Game in the NFL
The Chargers are among the best bets for Week 16 in the NFL in their marquee matchup against the Bills, according to NFL betting numbers from BetMGM. The Chargers are getting 12.5 points at home.
According to top betting apps in the NFL, no team has a player with the best betting odds for NFL MVP. No team is listed with the best betting odds to win the Super Bowl in 2023.
If
You weren’t interested in this game, so here’s our guide to betting numbers, predictions, and spreads in the NFL with betting numbers for Thursday night and betting numbers for Sunday and/or Monday night.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have beginner tips on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promotions and bonus codes with these online sportsbooks and betting sites. – Richard Morin
Current standings of teams in the NFL before Week 16
Despite all the challenges, both on and off the field, the Bills are a legitimate threat to reach the playoffs. The divisional title is still possible even with the Miami Dolphins facing tough schedules (against the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens) before hosting the Bills in the final regular season game. – Nate Davis
2024 Draft Order: Chargers in the race for a high pick
The Chargers are having a disappointing season, but they have a nice consolation prize… the potential for a high draft pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft (along with a prominent spot in an endless series of mock drafts).
Here’s the top 10 draft order for 2024 before Week 16:
1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers)
2. New England Patriots
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Washington Commanders
5. New York Giants
6. Chicago Bears
7. Los Angeles Chargers
8. Tennessee Titans
9. New York Jets
10. Atlanta Falcons
The last time the Chargers picked 10th was in 2020, when the team selected quarterback Justin Herbert sixth overall that year. – Jim Rinkings
Week 16 Predictions and Odds in the NFL
Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers
Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
Washington Commanders vs. New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
New York Giants vs
Source: https://www.aol.com/bills-chargers-saturday-nfl-peacock-232506329.html
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