This Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers game may not have the huge playoff implications for both sides that the NFL hoped, but it’s still a big game in the AFC playoff picture. With that in mind, which players are going to be getting themselves on the scoreboard in a must-win game for both sides?
Our experts give their thoughts in our Bills vs. Chargers touchdown scorer bets article for this Week 16 clash.
Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers Touchdown Scorer Bets
James Cook (-125 ESPN BET)
David Bearman: The Chargers enter as the 30th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. Josh Allen will have a field day, especially if you see what Aiden O’Connell did last week with the Las Vegas Raiders. So, which Bills WR will benefit the most?
Believe it or not, the best pass catcher for the Bills in the last two weeks has been running back James Cook. He also touched the rock 25 times and scored on the ground last week. So we have multiple options here, and we’re only laying 25 cents juice, which seems low.
Ben Rolfe: This game has run-heavy blowout for the Bills written all over it, and that should be music to Cook’s ears, his fantasy managers, and anyone looking for an anytime TD bet.
The Chargers have given up three touchdowns to running backs in the last four weeks, two of which came last week from less-talented backs than Cook.
MORE: Free NFL Playoff Predictor Tool
Since Joe Brady took over Buffalo’s offense four weeks ago, Cook has found the end zone four times. In the 10 games before that, he had scored just twice.
Brady’s influence has seen Cook touching the ball at least 15 times a game and averaging over 100 yards of offense per game. He has committed to Cook when it seemed like Ken Dorsey was fading him in favor of veteran options.
Stefon Diggs (+130 at ESPN BET)
Rolfe: Stefon Diggs at plus odds coming off a two-week dry spell with a good matchup seems too easy to pass up. He hasn’t gone three weeks without finding the end zone this season, and this game has the feel of a “get everyone a Christmas present” type game for the Bills’ offense.
We know how quickly Diggs can become disillusioned with life if he isn’t playing a starring role, so look for Allen to get him the ball plenty and try to get him in the end zone in Week 16.
Gabe Davis (+260 at FanDuel)
Kyle Soppe: I’m targeting a receiver who is struggling in a major way but has produced against defenses that boast a sub-20% pressure rate this season, a box the Chargers check.
- Week 2 vs. Raiders: Six receptions, 92 yards, TD (seven targets)
- Week 3 at Commanders: One reception, four yards, TD (four targets)
- Week 8 vs. Buccaneers: Nine receptions, 87 yards, TD (12 targets)
- Week 10 vs. Broncos: Two receptions, 56 yards (six targets)
Nobody is claiming to have solved the puzzle that is Gabe Davis, but there is some reason for hope in this spot.
In those four games, Davis saw 22% of Allen’s targets, a massive step forward from his rate over the other 10 games (12.5%). He also has a 35+ yard grab in three of those four games, giving this leg life until the very end — it only takes one!
Last week was goofy in terms of game script, but in the narrow Week 14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Davis led Buffalo receivers with an 85.7% route participation rate.
There’s no denying the raw talent or the playing time; it’s just a matter of putting things together. And this is a matchup for him to potentially realize some of that potential.
If you want to get funky with Davis, split a unit bet with his yardage prop and him scoring the first touchdown in this game (+1200 at FanDuel). Neither, obviously, is a lock, but in a plus spot, there’s a chance you cash both in the first quarter! Merry Gabe-mas weekend.
Rolfe: This game just has the feeling of a Davis Appreciation Day for the Bills. After two quiet games, we have once again heard the praise for Davis from players and coaches about all the “unseen work” he does.
The last time we heard that was after the game against the New York Jets where he saw zero targets. The following week he had 105 yards and a touchdown and could easily have found the end zone again.
MORE: Week 16 Predictions and ATS Picks
Kyle laid out several of the reasons I like Davis to find the end zone this week, but there’s also the mediocre play of the Chargers’ defense.
I expect them to show a little more fight this week, but we saw just how fragile their secondary can be with five passing touchdowns in total and four to wide receivers last week.
Joshua Palmer (+350 at ESPNBet)
Rolfe: I would fully understand if you just want to avoid the Chargers’ offense altogether with the way things have been going. However, with Keenan Allen out once again, Joshua Palmer figures to be the central point of the passing attack for Los Angeles.
He had 113 yards and a touchdown last week in the blowout loss and is the main man for this passing attack.
Despite a strong run of games, the Bills have been vulnerable to opposing WRs. They’ve allowed five touchdowns to the position in the last four weeks.
I believe the Chargers will score, and of the options available, Palmer is the best balance of opportunity and value this week.
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