San Diego Chargers (1-1) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein

*Keys to the game: QB Philip Rivers and TE Antonio Gates are playing like it’s 2009, but the one element of the Chargers’ offense that is missing is a LaDainian Tomlinson-like presence in the backfield. Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown are capable of filling niches, but neither is the three-down threat Ryan Mathews (knee; out) can be. San Diego leans instead on a controlled passing game with possession routes between the hashes, where Buffalo’s thinned linebacker corps will be a target.

The Bills don’t mind a ball control tug-of-war, using their heavy machinery on the offensive line to wear down San Diego’s defense with RBs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson each averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Rookie Sammy Watkins is bringing a big-play receiver to the mix. Watkins has size and natural hands and his matchup with another rookie first-rounder, Jason Verrett, who is likely to start again in place of Brandon Flowers (groin).

*Matchup to watch – Bills DT Marcell Dareus vs. Chargers C Rich Ohrnberger: San Diego lost Pro Bowl C Nick Hardwick for the season in the opener, and Ohrnberger had to step in against the Seahawks. He graded out pretty well, but the Chargers didn’t get much done in the running game. The Bills have Dareus and Kyle Williams in the middle of their line, and they will present a big challenge against the run and pass.

*Player spotlight – Bills LB Preston Brown: The rookie was drafted to be a backup, but suddenly has played every defensive snap in the games against Chicago and Miami, and he leads the Bills with 20 tackles to go along with a fumble recovery and return of 30 yards. Coach Doug Marrone said he “made a big jump” between weeks 1 and 2.

*Fast facts: The Bills have trailed for a total of 283 seconds this season. … Gates needs 21 touchdown receptions to tie Tony Gonzalez for most by a tight end in NFL history.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Buffalo is getting great play up front and at cornerback. If the Bills continue to avoid self-inflicted wounds, they get to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 (4-0).

*Our pick: Bills 24-17