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When the Buffalo Bills fly across the country to face old friend Anthony Lynn and his Los Angeles Chargers, they will do so as the team with the better record. The Bills sit at 5-4, while the Chargers are 3-6 and would find themselves in dire straits with regard to playoff contention with a loss. The Chargers are 1-4 in games decided by three points or less, so there is definitely some bad luck involved. Their roster has talent, and they have plenty of players who are fantasy football-relevant this week.
QB Philip Rivers
The wily veteran has put up a good-not-great year, throwing 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions to go with 2,263 passing yards. Buffalo has been a leaky defensive unit against the pass without starting cornerback E.J. Gaines, and since he was still limited in practice as of Wednesday, it’s possible that he won’t play again this week. If that’s the case, Rivers could have an easy time targeting Shareece Wright opposite Tre’Davious White.
RB Melvin Gordon
Any running back with a pulse would be worth a start after the dismal showing the Bills’ run defense has had over the last two weeks. They’re allowing an average of 246 yards per game over that stretch, which is obviously not a winning formula. Gordon has also had a good-no-great year, rushing 147 times for 553 yards and four touchdowns, but he is supremely talented with great burst. If the Bills don’t improve against the run, he will have a field day. Gordon’s backup, Austin Ekeler, had a breakout performance last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, showing himself to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Expect both backs to play a key part in Anthony Lynn’s game plan.
Chargers D/ST
Buffalo is starting a rookie quarterback on the road. Los Angeles is 9th in points allowed, 11th in passing yards allowed, and 19th in total defense this season; they have the second-most sacks in the league (29), and seven interceptions on the season. Realistically, they’re in line for a good day, though I hope that this prediction is entirely wrong.