Bills vs Raiders comes down to one simple question: can a banged-up Buffalo offense lean on the NFL’s fifth-best rushing attack against a Las Vegas defense that gives up 140.6 yards per game on the ground? The answer, based on the numbers and the injury report, is yes — but not without a fight.

The Buffalo Bills (4-1) visit the Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at 4:25 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium. CBS has the broadcast, with Jim Nantz, J.J. Watt and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson on the call. You can stream it on Paramount+.

Buffalo arrives on a short week after beating the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime on Monday night. Las Vegas got hammered 45-17 at New England in Week 5. The Bills are favorites, but the matchup is closer than the records suggest.

Offense vs Offense: Josh Allen Carries Buffalo

Josh Allen has 15 total touchdowns in five games — seven passing and a league-high eight rushing. He has thrown for 1,249 yards with four interceptions and been sacked 10 times. The Raiders’ pass rush has 13.0 sacks, a top-10 total, so Allen will face pressure. Buffalo converts 50.0 percent of third downs, third in the NFL, and keeping Allen upright is how those drives continue.

James Cook has been the workhorse. He has 95 carries for 532 yards, third in the NFL, and five rushing touchdowns. No other Bills running back has more than four carries. Cook faces a Raiders run defense allowing 140.6 yards per game, among the bottom five in the league. That is the front he runs into.

Las Vegas moves the ball through the air. Kirk Cousins has 12 touchdown passes, tied for second in the NFL, against four interceptions. He has 1,269 passing yards, eighth in the league, and has been sacked eight times. The Raiders’ rushing offense is among the bottom five at 82.0 yards per game, so Cousins will throw — a lot.

Brock Bowers has played three of the Raiders’ five games after being listed out and doubtful with a knee injury in the first two weeks. In those three games he has 24 catches on 35 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Buffalo allows 280.4 passing yards per game, among the bottom five in the NFL, which opens the middle of the field for Bowers.

Defense vs Defense: Turnovers Tell the Story

Buffalo has just two interceptions this season, among the bottom 10 in the NFL. That gives Cousins — and the 3-2 Raiders, trying to end a two-game losing streak — a real chance to keep pace.

The Bills’ defense surrendered 378 yards in the win over the Rams, including a 91-yard touchdown drive that tied the game at 23 in the fourth quarter. They also lost starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to an ejection after he spit toward Raiders tight end Brock Bowers late in the first half. His availability for this game is not confirmed in the source material.

Injury Report: Who Plays, Who Sits

Bills head coach Joe Brady listed five players as questionable: wide receivers DJ Moore (shoulder) and Joshua Palmer (shoulder), defensive lineman Ed Oliver (knee), cornerback Dee Alford (ankle) and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (shoulder).

Moore and Oliver did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but were limited Friday. Palmer and Alford were limited all three days. Sanders was limited Wednesday and Thursday but upgraded to a full participant Friday. Moore, Oliver, Palmer and Alford were all inactive for last week’s game against the Rams.

Right tackle Spencer Brown (back) was limited Wednesday but upgraded to full participant Thursday. Brady said he will play. “Spencer is a tough guy,” Brady said. “Spencer will be good to go, be ready to rock.”

On the Las Vegas side, the Raiders’ pass rush ranks near the top of the NFL in pressure rate, per Syracuse.com. That sets up an intriguing test for Allen.

Odds and Prediction: What the Numbers Say

FanDuel lists the Bills as 5.5-point favorites (-105) with a total of 53.5. The moneyline is Bills -245, Raiders +200. FOX Sports reports the Bills as 6-point favorites with a total of 53.5 and a moneyline of -277 for Buffalo and +225 for Las Vegas. Lines vary by sportsbook.

A machine learning simulation model from Syracuse.com projects a 30-23 Buffalo win — a seven-point margin that clears the 5.5-point spread. The model gives Buffalo a 56.3% cover probability at -4.5, so the edge is smaller at -5.5. The projected total of 53 sits just below FanDuel’s 53.5, a near coin flip with a slight lean to the under.

For player props, the model projects Allen for 250 passing yards, about 10 yards above FanDuel’s 239.5 line (-113). It also gives him a 57.5% chance to score a rushing touchdown — the highest anytime touchdown probability of any player in the model, edging Cook at 55.1%. But FanDuel’s -175 price requires a 63.6% hit rate, so the model sees no value there. Bettors would want Allen at -135 or longer.

In the head-to-head passing yards market, Cousins is -132 and Allen is +102. The model projects 256 yards for Cousins and 250 for Allen — a gap of just six yards. Allen at plus money is the better price if you believe the model’s margin is too thin.

The Bottom Line: Which Team Wins for Which Use Case

If you are betting the spread, Buffalo -5.5 (-105) is the play. A projected seven-point margin gives the Bills a cushion at a near even-money price. The model’s 30-23 projection supports it.

If you are betting player props, Josh Allen over 239.5 passing yards (-113) is the cleanest angle. His season average of roughly 250 yards per game and the model’s 250-yard projection both point over the number.

If you are betting the moneyline, pass. Buffalo at -245 requires a 71.0% win probability. The spread is a more efficient way to back the Bills.

If you are betting Allen to score a touchdown, wait for a better number. At -175, the price is steeper than the model’s 57.5% probability supports.

For the game itself, the Bills vs Raiders matchup favors Buffalo because of one mismatch: James Cook against a Raiders run defense allowing 140.6 yards per game. Buffalo already ranks fifth in the league at 158.0 rushing yards per game. If the Bills control the clock on the ground, Allen does not have to win it alone — and that is the safest bet on the board.

Check FanDuel for the latest odds before placing a wager, especially as final injury designations come in for DJ Moore. Lines can move.

Responsible Gambling: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. New York residents can also contact the NY HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY.

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TORONTO — Jonathan David scored in the 12th minute and Dayne St. Clair kept a clean sheet as Canada beat Chile 1-0 on Saturday at BMO Field, opening a new four-year cycle with a win in front of 23,310 fans.

The Canada vs Chile friendly was Canada’s first match on home soil since its historic run to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, where the co-hosts fell 3-0 to Morocco in Houston. Chile, ranked No. 49 in the world, missed the tournament after finishing bottom of CONMEBOL qualifying with two wins from 18 matches.

David wore the captain’s armband with Alphonso Davies absent on a delayed honeymoon. The goal came after Ralph Priso launched a long ball to Jacob Shaffelburg, whose cross found Cyle Larin. Goalkeeper Christian Bravo stopped Larin’s initial shot, but the rebound floated across the goalmouth and David tapped it in with his left foot.

“I’m always expecting to score every game,” David said. “So I asked them for it to be prepared.”

David raised a No. 13 Derek Cornelius jersey as he returned to the sideline. Cornelius, a defender, was hurt during a training session earlier in the week.

Canada vs Chile turns chippy as Chile finish with nine men

The match billed as “The Homecoming” began with a ceremony honouring the World Cup squad, which reached the knockout stage for the first time and beat South Africa in the Round of 32.

Chile’s night unraveled before halftime. Midfielder Lucas Cepeda was shown a red card in the 35th minute after getting tangled with Canadian defender Richie Laryea. As Cepeda was pulled down, his leg came upward and his boot caught Laryea on the side of the head, drawing blood near the eyebrow. Laryea stayed in the game after medical attention.

Canada caught a break moments later when Niko Sigur was knocked down and St. Clair was caught out of his area. Chile’s Jonathan Villagra had a chance to hit the ball into an empty net from distance but put it over the bar.

Chile went down to nine men four minutes into the second half. Gabriel Suazo received a second yellow card after his forearm caught Sigur in the head as they jumped for a ball.

Canada pressed with the two-man advantage, but the Chilean backline held firm. A Laryea strike from distance in the 84th minute hit the post.

“We wanted to come back here in Toronto after the World Cup to say thank you to the fans,” Canadian midfielder Mathieu Choiniere said. “I think that’s the best way that we did it — by a win.”

Canada vs Chile: What’s next for both teams

The Canada vs Chile result extends Canada’s strong record at BMO Field, where the national team’s last defeat came nearly three years ago against Jamaica. Canada has lost only once in its last eight matches on home soil, a defeat to Switzerland at the World Cup.

Canada also extended its unbeaten run against South American opposition to four matches, having beaten Venezuela 2-0 in November 2025 and drawn with Colombia and Ecuador late last year.

According to TSN, head coach Jesse Marsch said Canada has set a long-term goal of reaching the top 24 in the world rankings as it looks to qualify for the 2030 World Cup in Portugal, Morocco and Spain.

Next up is an Oct. 3 friendly in Montreal against No. 50 Peru. Canada will visit the 16th-ranked United States on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minn. The team has three friendlies scheduled before entering the next CONCACAF Nations League campaign, where Canada is automatically through to the quarter-finals.

For Chile, the Canada vs Chile match marked the start of a rebuilding process under Nicolas Cordova, who remains in charge on an interim basis despite taking just 11 points from a possible 54 in qualifying. Cordova has overseen a more encouraging run, winning five of Chile’s last seven fixtures, including two wins over Peru. Chile has scored in five consecutive matches and scored 10 goals across its last five games.

Chile is without its most recognizable recent star. Alexis Sanchez was left out of the squad during the national team’s generational overhaul. Five Chilean players could make their senior debuts, while Ben Brereton Diaz arrived as the highest-scoring Chilean selected for the window with 10 international goals.

Canada vs Chile squads hit by absences

Canada was missing several key players beyond Davies. First-choice World Cup goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was unavailable for personal reasons. Cornelius had a lower-body injury, Jeevan Badwal dealt with a hamstring problem, and Moise Bombito was recovering from tibia surgery. Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller and Jonathan Osorio were also absent.

Chile’s confirmed XI featured Vigouroux in goal, with Faundez, Villagra, Roman and Suazo in defense; Pizarro and Marcelino in midfield; and Osorio, Perez, Cepeda and Tapia in attack.

Canada’s confirmed XI lined up in a 4-4-2: St. Clair in goal; Sigur, De Fougerolles, Priso and Laryea in defense; Saliba, Choiniere, Buchanan and Shaffelburg in midfield; and David and Larin up top.

Jovan Ivanisevic made his national men’s team debut as substitutes came on in the 62nd minute. Junior Hoilett, in his final appearance with the squad, subbed in during the 76th minute and was honoured for his 11-year run with the national team after the game.

“I was emotional, man,” Hoilett said. “I was trying to hold it together when I first stepped on the field. It was a special moment.”

Richard Chukwu also made his national men’s team debut in the 88th minute.

The Canada vs Chile fixture carried significance beyond the scoreline, with both national teams using the match to develop squads for the next international cycle. Canada is trying to maintain momentum from its best-ever World Cup campaign, while Chile is attempting to rebuild after a difficult qualifying period.

For viewers who missed the match, BolaVIP reported the game aired in the United States on FOX Soccer Plus, with streaming through Fubo and FOX One.

Canada’s next competitive challenge comes in the November knockout stage of the 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League A quarterfinals. For Chile, the road back to the World Cup begins with rebuilding under Cordova, with the September-October window serving as the first step.

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• Mexico vs Colombia: Márquez Debut Ends in Friendly

BALTIMORE LATEST — Luis Suárez scored in the ninth minute and Colombia led Mexico 1-0 in an international friendly at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night, spoiling Rafa Márquez’s debut as El Tri manager.

Suárez headed home a cross from Richard Ríos to give Los Cafeteros an early advantage. The match, played in steady rain, drew a reported crowd of more than 60,000 tickets sold, though empty seats were visible in the upper levels of the stadium.

Márquez, who captained Mexico in five World Cups as a player, took charge of the senior national team for the first time. The match marked the start of a new cycle for El Tri after their round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup on home soil, where they fell 3-2 to England.

Mexico entered the match ranked 10th in the FIFA rankings. Colombia arrived after a penalty-shootout loss to Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Why the Mexico vs Colombia friendly matters

For Mexico, the match was the first step in a planned transition. A succession plan put in place two years ago elevated Márquez to the top job after Javier Aguirre’s tenure ended. Aguirre is understood to be in advanced discussions to take charge at Valencia in La Liga, according to reports.

Márquez’s appointment carries significant expectations. Mexico had a strong World Cup showing, winning four of five matches before losing to England in a match where they were arguably the better side. The new manager must build on that momentum while integrating younger players.

For Colombia, the match offered a chance to regroup. Nestor Lorenzo remains at the helm despite an underwhelming WorldCup elimination. His side has quality across the pitch and a defined style, but is navigating a transition of its own. Lorenzo confirmed the iconic number 10 shirt will not be retired following James Rodriguez’s international retirement.

Colombia was without Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz, who was left off the roster for this window for rest and recovery. Despite his absence, Colombia controlled the early stage.

How the Mexico vs Colombia match unfolded (Mexico vs Colombia)

Mexico lined up with Raúl Rangel in goal and a back four of Jorge Sánchez, Johan Vásquez, Israel Reyes, and Jesús Gallardo. Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, and Luis Chavez started in midfield, with Armando González, Hirving Lozano, and Roberto Alvarado leading the attack. Mora, a highly rated young midfielder, wore the No. 10 shirt.

Colombia started Álvaro Montero in goal, with Daniel Muñoz, Jhon Lucumí, Dávinson Sánchez, and Álvaro Angulo across the back. Castaño, Richard Ríos, and Gustavo Puerta formed the midfield, while Luis Suárez, Carlos Andrés Gómez, and Jhon Arias started up front.

Mexico was missing several key players due to injuries, includng Julián Quiñones, César Montes, and Raúl Jiménez.

Heavy rain fell in Baltimore throughout the day & continued drizzling at kickoff. The conditions affected the playing surface and contributed to the sparse attendance in some sections.

Recent history favored Colombia. Los Cafeteros had won their last four meetings against Mexico, including a 4-0 victory in October 2025. Colombia had also won six of their last eight friendlies with six clean sheets.

What’s next for Mexico and Colombia

Saturday’s match was the first-ever Mex Tour stop in Baltimore during the tour’s 23-year history.

Mexico has three more matches scheduled during the extended international break. El Tri will face Peru on Sept. 29 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, then play the United States on Oct. 3 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. They close the window against Chile on Oct. 6 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The busy schedule gives Márquez significant time to implement his preferred style and evaluate players ahead of future competitions.

Colombia will play two more games during the fall international window. Lorenzo’s side faces Paraguay on Oct. 2 before wrapping up the camp against Peru on Oct. 6.

The Mexico vs Colombia result will be scrutinized as both teams begin building toward the next World Cup cycle. For Márquez, the priority is establishing an identity and integrating new faces while maintaining the positive momentum from the summer. For Lorenzo, the focus is on retooling a squad that reached the World Cup quarterfinals but fell short of its ultimate goal.

Mexico has never won the World Cup. Their best-ever finish remains two appearances in the quarterfinals. Colombia reached the quarterfinals in 2026, their best result since 2014.

The next few months will reveal whether Márquez can translate his legendary playing career into managerial success at the senior level. His only previous managerial experience came with Barça Atlètic in 2023-24.

For Colombia, the challenge is maintaining their recent dominance over Mexico while integrating new players into Lorenzo’s system. The absence of Diaz for this window provided an opportunity for others to step forward.

Both teams return to action next week, with Mexico hosting Peru and Colombia facing Paraguay. The Mexico vs Colombia rivalry will renew in future windows, but Saturday’s match set the tone for what comes next.

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