Bills vs Chargers Prop Bets: Allen Uses Dual-Threat Capabilities To His Advantage

Prop bet #1: Jolly Josh

There are few better NFL gifts right now than a matchup against the slumping Los Angeles Chargers, and I couldn't help but take advantage of Josh Allen's odds against L.A.

Allen is coming off two quieter weeks where he did enough to get the Bills to 8-6 without posting spectacular stats. But I see him shining here with his arm and his legs.

The Over on his passing and rushing yards prop is great value. He blew past this number in Weeks 12 and 13 — including 420 total yards against the Philadelphia Eagles — and he’s got there in eight of his 14 outings this season. Now he’s facing a Chargers defense that allowed 63 points last Thursday in an embarrassing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The hosts are allowing the third most passing yards per game (261) which sets the stage for Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis to have big days.

Allen stepped aside in Week 15 as James Cook did the heavy lifting in the ground game against the Dallas Cowboys, but I’m counting on the Buffalo QB to run the show this weekend.

The only slight question mark is whether the Bills ease off in if this turns into a blowout, but I’m willing to live with that small risk. Otherwise, everything about this matchup points to a monster day for Allen.

Josh Allen prop: Over 277.5 passing+rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM)

Prop bet #2: Elusive Ekeler

Even with the Chargers likely to play better after the humiliation on TNF and Staley’s exit, this feels like a game where the hosts will be playing from behind — and that would lead to Easton Stick throwing the ball just as much as he did in Week 15.

Stick’s receiving options are limited with Keenan Allen joining Mike Williams on the sidelines, but that should present opportunities to cash in on Austin Ekeler odds surrounding his receiving props.

The L.A. running back is a proven pass-catcher and gives Stick an easy option for screen passes or check downs. Ekeler turned six targets into four grabs and 29 receiving yards against the Raiders, but I expect an uptick in all of those categories on Saturday.

The Buffalo defense has been lights out over the past two weeks — holding the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys to a combined 27 points — and I’m not optimistic about Stick finding open receivers for big plays.

Instead, it’s likelier that we’ll see a steady diet of short throws, with Ekeler’s ability to sneak out of the backfield forming a central part of the Chargers’ gameplan.

Austin Ekeler prop: Over 28.5 receiving yards (-110 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: Early-bird special

James Cook served up his best game of the year on Sunday, shredding the Cowboys for 221 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. I see that being a launchpad for a big finish to the regular season.

James Cooks' odds for an anytime TD are worth a long look, but the odds have been slashed after his heroics last weekend, so I’m picking the juicier option of a first-half score for the do-it-all RB.

He’s found the end zone before half-time in three of his last four games, and his receiving skills make him a threat regardless of the down and distance.

While I don’t expect a repeat of Cook’s 25 carries against Dallas, the Buffalo Bills moved the ball so well in the ground game in Week 15 that it makes sense to feed him again here. Cook has turned 27 red zone touches into four scores this year, with three of those coming on catches.

He may not get much resistance from the hosts either. L.A. has given up eight rushing TDs in its past six games, and Buffalo brings the combo of Cook and Allen as mobile runners. Even if Latavius Murray swoops in for the goal-line work, I see Cook having early opportunities to nail this prop.

James Cook prop: First-half touchdown (+190 at FanDuel)