Week 3: What To Watch For In Chargers Vs Bills

The Los Angeles Chargers are free-falling, and this next game is going to be even tougher than the last. Here are four things to watch for in Week 3: 

If The Chargers Can Contain Bills Quarterback Josh Allen

Allen is a beast and loves to run and put the team on his back. Allen had the second-most regular-season rushing yards of the Bills last year and had 69 against Detroit last Thursday, complete with two rushing touchdowns. Allen is very hard to beat when he gets out of the pocket, so the pass rush has to stop him from escaping.

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Safety Derwin James Jr. will have to spend a little more time at the line of scrimmage to keep an extra eye on Allen, while edge rushers Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor, as well as defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe and Teair Tart, will need to put in the work to get to Allen quickly. 

Can The Chargers Secondary Put An End To Bills Tight End Dalton Kincaid’s High Receiving Stats? 

Kincaid is off to a great start as he’s been almost perfect in receptions throughout the first two games of the season and had a receiving touchdown against Detroit. He’s been the number two target behind Bills wide receiver DJ Moore and was the number one last Thursday night when Moore went out with a shoulder injury.

If Moore is not able to play on Sunday, Kincaid will definitely be the one to beat.

Cornerback Donte Jackson had a career year last season, allowing the fewest receiving yards since 2022, so he’ll need to bring more of that 2025 play to this next game. James has in the past been all over some superior tight ends like Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and was often covering Cardinals tight end Trey McBride in Week 1. He, Jackson, and this secondary will have to stop Kincaid at all costs. 

How The Chargers’ Run Defense Stops Bills Running Back James Cook 

The Chargers didn’t do well in run defense in their first game, allowing double-digit rushing yards from Cardinals running backs Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier, as well as a rushing touchdown. They did better in Week 2, only allowing Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty 48 rushing yards.

Cook made up for a less than stellar Week 1 with 135 rushing yards, seven first downs, and one rushing touchdown in Week 2.

With the exception of his first season, Cook has had 1,000-yard rushing seasons every year in the NFL and had double-digit rushing touchdowns in the last two.

Run defense was a better area for the Chargers last year, with the exception of Week 7 against the Colts, where Colts running back Jonathan Taylor could not be stopped. The run defense, in particular, I’m expecting a lot from linebacker Daiyan Henley, as well as this secondary has to bring their A game against Cook. 

Will The Chargers Pull It Together? 

There were six fumbles last game, including a costly one by running back Omarion Hampton as the ball was popped out of his hands by Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean. This was after the Chargers had gone from a fourth-and-one to a fresh set of downs, after the Raiders were called for too many men on the field.

There were also multiple penalties from right tackle Joe Alt, including a holding call on defensive end Maxx Crosby in the end zone, resulting in a safety. Quarterback Justin Herbert also had two interceptions. And there was a blocked punt in Week 1.

The mistakes are costing the Chargers across all three phases, so they have to play cleaner football if they have any chance to turn this season around.