# Chargers vs Bills predictions, graded

Week 3, 2026: Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills

Sep 27, 2026 · final: Chargers 16, Bills 24 · 22 calls on record · updated Sep 29, 4:30 PM ET

Who do pundits pick in Chargers vs Bills? Of 21 pundits with a call on record, 17 take the Bills and 4 take the Chargers. 5 named a score; the median has the Bills by 10. The Bills won 24-16, so 17 of 21 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 81 out of 100.

Picks by outlet. Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.

- [CBS Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): all 5 Bills
- [First Things First (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/first-things-first-podcast): Bills 3, Chargers 1
- [Fox Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fox-sports): Bills 3, Chargers 1
- [Fox Sports Radio (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fox-sports-radio-podcast): all 2 Bills
- [The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-richard-sherman-podcast-podcast): all 2 Bills

The other 4 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Bills 2, Chargers 2.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-3-chargers-at-bills

Picks:

- [Tracy Sandler](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tracy-sandler) took the Bills; said Sep 26, 2026; on Fox Sports Radio (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/74f12600-9587-488a-af00-2e8c11643531
- [Carmen Vitali](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/carmen-vitali) took the Bills; said Sep 26, 2026; on Fox Sports Radio (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/948bc684-6a05-4cb4-a5ff-72861da00102
- [Dwight Freeney](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/dwight-freeney) took the Bills; said Sep 25, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/128f1ccf-a606-47eb-b077-4f74a9999bf5
- [Eric Mangini](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-mangini) took the Chargers; said Sep 25, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c5e9288a-a752-4236-889e-edc171b86264
- [Chris Broussard](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-broussard) took the Bills; said Sep 25, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dee7585c-6da6-4afc-9954-ff32cf8de4e3
- [Chris Simms](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-simms) took the Bills, Bills 35–Chargers 27; said Sep 25, 2026; on Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 83.04) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/662b7ba3-1bf6-4ad0-9f93-9f2ab83143fd
- [Chris Long](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-long) took the Bills; said Sep 25, 2026; on Green Light with Chris Long (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3df9ea25-e57f-4fd7-b20c-c910a1c3633a
- [Eric Williams](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-williams) took the Chargers; said Sep 25, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57fe59dc-bfbb-44cb-8e4c-191db478fce2
- [Sam Monson](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/sam-monson) took the Chargers; said Sep 24, 2026; on Check the Mic (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0b810ffd-fd93-4ea2-a208-b1353dea5fb0
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Bills; said Sep 24, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c2102f61-711d-4041-af08-065e95ccaf03
- [Mitchell Eisenstein](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitchell-eisenstein) took the Bills; said Sep 24, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4ccbceaa-54ca-4a2e-ad90-006f1ded0ad2
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Bills, Bills 31–Chargers 20; said Sep 23, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 92.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 82.07) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e4b11b44-d359-4027-a72c-87833f5ff6e3
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Bills, Bills 32–Chargers 23; said Sep 23, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 97.62 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 82.07) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3eb02dfa-79dd-43a1-87d8-db7e5140af6c
- [Carter Bahns](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/carter-bahns) took the Bills; said Sep 23, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/17699621-f07a-4623-b6c3-ae9b021d0b04
- [Colin Cowherd](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/colin-cowherd) took the Bills; said Sep 22, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/222f2ef9-b293-430f-85fc-540d64220af2
- [Henry McKenna](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/henry-mckenna) took the Bills; said Sep 22, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/19588e73-4a8e-4894-a58c-2d16c19c5b9f
- [Matt Severance](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-severance) took the Bills, Bills 31–Chargers 21; said Sep 22, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 82.07) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f45312e7-8f87-4b2d-9a66-4f5ecaea87c3
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Bills, Bills 34–Chargers 24; said Sep 22, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 82.07) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/c21157cd-927c-43dc-98a2-60f4224ba22e
- [Greg Auman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/greg-auman) took the Bills; said Sep 21, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9819f363-9ca4-432b-b84d-7234dcf5b82d
- [David Droegemeier](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/david-droegemeier) took the Chargers; said Sep 8, 2026; on Locked On Chargers (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7a3cf9e0-2957-4862-822e-56206f199c8f
- [Kevin Wildes](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/kevin-wildes) took the Bills; said Sep 4, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/989d3882-a69f-47c8-9295-1924f6ff4e6c
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Bills; said Aug 19, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 100) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/50eb251e-cf6b-417d-a0d6-bccba95e06fc

## How they came in

The Chargers are 0-2 and have lost 2 straight; the Bills are 2-0 and have won 2 straight. On win totals, 13 pundits put the Chargers at 8.1 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Bills at 11.4 wins on average.

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

- Los Angeles Chargers: 0-2, lost 2 straight (28 scored, 52 allowed)
  - Last games: L 14-26 vs Raiders; L 14-26 vs Cardinals
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32
  - Last season: 11-6
  - Win-total calls: 13 pundits, average 8.1, 2 to 12 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 0 of 2 Chargers games
- Buffalo Bills: 2-0, won 2 straight (77 scored, 62 allowed)
  - Last games: W 41-31 vs Lions; W 36-31 at Texans
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 1st, defense 12th of 32
  - Last season: 12-5
  - Win-total calls: 13 pundits, average 11.4, 10 to 14 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 1 of 2 Bills games

## Players to watch

Each club's starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Justin Herbert](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-herbert) (Starting QB, QB): 1,591 passing yards · 6 TD, 11 INT · 61.3% completions · 190 rushing yards · 8 games; 21st in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 3, 2026: Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 30, 2026: Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round) (not settled yet)
- [Omarion Hampton](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/omarion-hampton) (RB1, RB): 369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games; 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 17, 2026: Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Aug 15, 2026: Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Ladd McConkey](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ladd-mcconkey) (WR1, WR): 17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games; 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 6, 2026: Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers (not settled yet)
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 18, 2026: McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2) (not settled yet)
- [Oronde Gadsden II](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/oronde-gadsden-ii) (TE1, TE): 19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games; 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20) (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 7, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Tuli Tuipulotu](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tuli-tuipulotu) (Sack leader, LB): 3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 51st in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Oct 29, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip” (not settled yet)
  - No. 40 JP Acosta, Nov 6, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
- [Daiyan Henley](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/daiyan-henley) (Tackle leader, LB): 0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Nov 11, 2026: Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Josh Allen](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/josh-allen) (Starting QB, QB): 2,027 passing yards · 12 TD, 6 INT · 66.1% completions · 285 rushing yards · 8 games; 12th in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 2 Joe Marino, Sep 7, 2026: Josh Allen to finish top 1 at his position, by passing yards (not settled yet)
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Sep 23, 2026: Josh Allen to win MVP (not settled yet)
- [James Cook](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/james-cook) (RB1, RB): 814 rushing yards on 169 carries · 8 TD · 12 catches for 110 · 8 games; 5th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 2 Joe Marino, Aug 28, 2026: James Cook to make the roster (scored 100 out of 100)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 1, 2026: James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Khalil Shakir](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/khalil-shakir) (WR1, WR): 31 catches for 412 yards · 1 TD · 8 games; 35th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 2 Joe Marino, Aug 28, 2026: Khalil Shakir to make the roster (scored 100 out of 100)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Sep 21, 2026: Khalil Shakir to be 2nd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Dalton Kincaid](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dalton-kincaid) (TE1, TE): 30 catches for 429 yards · 2 TD · 8 games; 32nd in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 2 Joe Marino, Aug 28, 2026: Dalton Kincaid to make the roster (scored 100 out of 100)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Dalton Kincaid to fall short of his draft cost (TE11, Overall RK114 | ECR vs. ADP: -14) (not settled yet)
- [Greg Rousseau](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/greg-rousseau) (Sack leader, LB): 8 sacks · 17 solo tackles · 8 games; 2nd in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 2 Joe Marino, Aug 28, 2026: Greg Rousseau to make the roster (scored 100 out of 100)
- [Amani Hooker](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/amani-hooker) (Tackle leader, S): 32 solo tackles · 5 interceptions · 7 games; 34th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Oct 29, 2026: Amani Hooker to move — “could be moved if they found a good offer” (not settled yet)

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The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-3
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology