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The Bills had to fight hard just to be alive at this point in the season, but wins over the Chiefs and Cowboys have kept Buffalo’s playoff hopes afloat. Could another AFC East title also be in play? The Bills might need a win to hang with the Dolphins in the race for the division crown.
Fortunately for Sean McDermott’s squad, a win is what they are favored to get on Saturday night. The Chargers are down to backup quarterback Easton Stick, won’t have star receiver Keenan Allen available, and just fired coach Brandon Staley eight days ago.
Staley’s ouster might spark some life for the Chargers, but with the way the Bills have been playing, Los Angeles is facing an uphill challenge in prime time.
MORE: 8 potential replacements for fired Chargers coach Brandon Staley
After a lifeless performance against the Raiders in Week 15, the priority for the Chargers’ defense will be stopping James Cook. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has made a point of building the Bills’ offense around Cook, and the second-year running back has come through with five consecutive games of at least 100 scrimmage yards.
Cook was used so often in Buffalo’s win over the Cowboys that Josh Allen threw just seven completions, but Allen made it clear he doesn’t care what his numbers are as long as the team is winning. Right now, winning seems to be coming easily for the Bills.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Saturday night’s Week 16 game between the Bills and Chargers. Follow along with all of the key moments below.
Bills vs. Chargers score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Bills | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Chargers | 3 | – | – | – | – |
Bills vs. Chargers live updates, highlights from Saturday night game
(All times Eastern)
8:30 p.m. — Christian Benford intercepts Stick, but he’s called for defensive holding to erase the turnover. LB Terrel Bernard is down for the Bills, so we are in an injury timeout as he gets checked out.
8:26 p.m. — James Cook has been held to just a yard on two carries, and the Bills are forced to punt again. The difference between last week and this week has been night-and-day for this Chargers defense.
8:23 p.m. — Gabe Davis gives the Bills some breathing room on this drive with a 17-yard gain.
8:22 p.m. — Leonard Fournette has his first carry as a member of the Bills. He was elevated off the practice squad today.
Chargers 3, Bills 0
8:18 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Giff Smith brings out the field goal unit just a few yards from the end zone. It’s an easy one for Cameron Dicker. No touchdown, but the Chargers lead 3-0.
8:16 p.m. — The Chargers convert on third down again, this time with a pass up the middle to Stone Smartt. They’re into the red zone.
8:15 p.m. — Stick does a nice job of getting the ball to Joshua Palmer for a big first down on 3rd & 7. The Chargers are nearing field goal range.
Easton Stick has the @Chargers offense on the move early#BUFvsLAC on Peacock
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eeNRIfK0VS pic.twitter.com/riH9EMPLKE— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
8:13 p.m. — Quentin Johnston didn’t get involved until late in last week’s blowout loss, but he has a 21-yard grab already to take the Chargers near midfield.
8:12 p.m. — Ekeler has touched the ball on each of the Chargers’ first three offensive snaps and gives Los Angeles a first down to start the drive.
8:10 p.m. — Jaylinn Hawkins breaks up a pass to Gabe Davis on third down, so the Chargers get the Bills off the field quickly. This is a sense of urgency they didn’t seem to have last week.
8:06 p.m. — Khalil Shakir hauls in a pass from Allen for 14 yards and a first down.
8:05 p.m. — Stick will have to wait, as the Bills will start with the ball.
7:55 p.m. — Easton Stick looked respectable in his first NFL start, though much of his work came after the game was out of reach. Whether he can keep the Chargers anywhere close to the Bills tonight will be a major test.
7:40 p.m. — All eyes are on James Cook tonight after he became the focus of the Bills’ offense once Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator. The second-year RB needs only 32 rushing yards to cross the 1,000 mark.
7:15 p.m. — The Chargers are playing their first game without Brandon Staley on the sideline since the end of the 2020 season. Will it matter? Interim coach Giff Smith is working with limited resources, but just a little more effort from the defense would be a step in the right direction.
6:45 p.m. — As was already announced, the Chargers will be without WR Keenan Allen tonight. Will Grier will be LA’s No. 2 QB, with Max Duggan the emergency No. 3 quarterback.
our inactives for #BUFvsLAC
QB Max Duggan
WR Keenan Allen
S JT Woods
DB Deane Leonard
TE Donald Parham Jr.— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 23, 2023
6:35 p.m. — Bills safety Micah Hyde is inactive for the second consecutive week.
Tonight’s inactives. #BUFvsLAC pic.twitter.com/mpLZ1zKxtX
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 23, 2023
Bills vs. Chargers start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
Saturday night’s game between the Bills and Chargers will kick off at 8 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
MORE: Inside the Bills’ game ball controversy after win over Cowboys
What channel is Bills vs. Chargers on today?
- Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 23
- TV channel (Buffalo): WGRZ (Channel 2)
- TV channel (Los Angeles): KNBC (Channel 4)
- Live stream: Peacock | DAZN (in Canada)
Saturday’s battle between the Bills and Chargers will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) will be on the call from SoFi Stadium.
Viewers in the Buffalo and Los Angeles markets will be able to watch the game on local channels, but the rest of the country can only find the game on Peacock.
MORE: Why Al Michaels won’t be calling playoff game for NBC this season
Fans in Canada can stream it on DAZN, which carries every NFL game of the season.