STADIUM: SoFi Stadium
REFEREE: Adrian Hill
DATE: Saturday, December 23, 2023
GAME TIME: 8:00 PM ET
Peacock: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, James Lofton
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) BUF: 82 or 226 LAC: 85 or 225 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY REG. SEASON: LAC leads series, 24-11-2 (won 4 of past 5). THE LAST TIME: REG. SEASON: 11/29/20: LAC 17 at BUF 27.
HEAD COACHES NOTES: Sean McDermott vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 1-2 Reg. Season: 70-41 (.631) Postseason: 4-5 (.444). Giff Smith vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 0-0 Reg. Season: 0-0 (.000) Postseason: 0-0 (.000).
BUFFALO BILLS NOTES:
• QB JOSH ALLEN had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs last week, 10th game this season with both pass TD & rush TD, most in a season in NFL history. Has rush TD in 7 of past 8, incl. each of past 3. Ranks 2nd among QBs with career-high 11 rush TDs in 2023 & can become 4th different QB ever with 12+ rush TDs in a season.
• RB JAMES COOK had career-high 221 scrimmage yards (179 rush, 42 rec.) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) last week, most scrimmage yards in a game by Buf. player since Fred Jackson on 1/3/10 (227). Aims for 6th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards & 3rd in row with TD. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,401 scrimmage yards & can become 1st Buf. RB with 1,500-yard season since 2017 (LeSean McCoy).
• RB TY JOHNSON rushed for season-high 54 yards last week.
• WR STEFON DIGGS has 6+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in 5 of 6 road games this season, with TD catch in 3 of past 4 on road. Is only player in NFL with 90+ catches in each of past 4 seasons.
• WR GABE DAVIS had 79 rec. yards & TD catch in last meeting.
• TE DALTON KINCAID (rookie) has 5+ catches in 7 of past 8 overall & in each of his past 4 on road.
• S JORDAN POYER has 6+ tackles & PD in 2 of past 3. Aims for his 4th in row vs. LAC with 7+ tackles.
• CB TARON JOHNSON aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Had 6 tackles & 2 PD in last meeting.
• CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD had 2 PD & 1st INT of season last week.
• LB TERREL BERNARD aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles.
• DE LEONARD FLOYD had sack in Week 15. Has 10.5 sacks in 2023, 2nd-career season with 10+ sacks & 4th-straight season with 9+ sacks.
• DE GREG ROUSSEAU aims for 3rd in row with 0.5+ sacks.
• DT ED OLIVER aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had sack & FF in last meeting. Has career-high 6.5 sacks this season.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS NOTES:
• QB EASTON STICK completed 23 of 32 atts. (71.9 pct.) for 257 yards & 3 TDs with 113.7 rating last week in 1st-career start. Can become 6th QB since 2000 to make 1st 2 career starts in primetime.
• RB AUSTIN EKELER has 628 scrimmage yards (104.7 per game) in 6 home games this season. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Had 129 scrimmage yards (85 rec., 44 rush) & 11 catches in last meeting. Has 69 career TDs (39 rush, 30 rec.), tied with Rod Smith for 3rd-most by undrafted player in common-draft era.
• RB ISAIAH SPILLER led team with career-high 50 rush yards last week.
• WR KEENAN ALLEN aims for his 10th in row with 55+ rec. yards & 8th in row with 5+ catches. Has 11+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. Has 6+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. Buf. Has 7+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in each of his 4 games in primetime this season. Leads NFL with career-high 108 catches in 2023, single-season franchise record.
• WR JOSHUA PALMER had 4 catches for team-high 113 yards & TD last week. Has 100+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3.
• WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON (rookie) has 50+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3.
• TE GERALD EVERETT aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches.
• LB KHALIL MACK had season-high 2 PD & TFL last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD & has TFL in 7 of past 8. Has sack in 2 of 3 career games vs. Buf. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 15 sacks.
• LB ERIC KENDRICKS had season-high 12 tackles, sack & PD last week, 3rd-straight game with sack. Had 10 tackles & FR in his last game vs. Buf. (11/13/22 w/ Min.).
• S DERWIN JAMES aims for 10th in row with 5+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Had sack & PD in only career game vs. Buf. (9/16/18).
• CB MICHAEL DAVIS had 6 tackles, 2 PD & TFL in Week 15. Had INT in last meeting & has PD in 2 of 3 career games vs. Buf.
