Upcoming Match-ups

Broncos vs Chargers Betting Odds, Predictions, and Picks

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Jan 1, 2022 · 10:40 AM PST

Los Angeles Chargers free safety Derwin James (33) intercepts a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Kendall Hinton (9) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
  • AFC West rivals clash, as the Los Angeles Chargers host the Denver Broncos as betting favorites Sunday, January 2nd
  • The Chargers are in dire need of a win to remain in playoff contention, but are winless in four of five versus Denver
  • Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Week 17 matchup at SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Chargers will try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive with a win on Sunday, when they host the division rival Denver Broncos in a key NFL Week 17 matchup as lofty 7.5-point home favorites. The Chargers have tumbled out of the playoff picture during a two-game losing streak, capped by last weekend’s stunning 41-29 loss in Houston.

The Broncos also find themselves on the verge of elimination from playoff contention in the wake of back-to-back defeats while pegged as betting favorites, and also travel to Los Angeles riding a two-game losing streak on the road.

Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total at DraftKings
Denver Broncos +7.5 (-110) +260 O 45.5 (-110)
Los Angeles Chargers -7.5 (-110) -335 U 45.5 (-110)

*Odds taken at DraftKings on January 1, 2022.

Start time of Sunday afternoon’s clash at SoFi Stadium is set for 4:05pm ET. Plenty of sunshine is in the forecast for game time, with temperatures expected to reach into the low 60s Fahrenheit.

Broncos vs Chargers Line Movement

Sunday afternoon’s matchup marks the second and final clash between these AFC West rivals this season. The Broncos marched to a 28-13 victory when the Chargers visited Mile High back in Week 12, and have now claimed outright wins in 16 of 21 head-to-head dates since October 2011. Denver is also on a 4-1 SU run versus the Chargers, with each of those victories coming while pegged as a betting underdog. However, the Chargers have won and covered in three of their past five home dates against the Broncos.

Total points have topped 45 just once in the past nine meetings between these teams, fueling a steady 6-2 run for the UNDER. The Chargers’ vaunted offence has generated a steady 8-3 run for the OVER. However, LA’s recent defensive struggles have contributed to the team’s dismal current 3-7 ATS run. Despite their recent uneven performance against Denver, the Chargers have gained steady ground since opening as 5.5-point favorites. However, as game time approaches, the Broncos have shown momentum, attracting a sizeable 84% of bets placed against the spread.

Denver Broncos Outlook

Things went from bad to worse for the Broncos last weekend in Las Vegas. With starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater sidelined by a concussion, Drew Lock made his first start of the season, and produced uninspiring results. Lock failed to find the end zone while connecting on 15 of 22 pass attempts for 153 yards. And he had little support from a Broncos ground game that produced just 18 yards on 16 total carries.

With Bridgewater confirmed out once again this weekend, Lock will get another chance to kick start a Broncos offence that has scored 13 or fewer points in four of six outings. Denver has also failed to score in the first quarter in four of their past six, and has averaged just 17 points during a 1-4 SU run on the road.

Those scoring woes have contributed to a steady 8-1 run for the UNDER over the Broncos’ past nine games. Denver has also been a massive disappointment at the sportsbooks, covering in just four of its past 12, but is 2-1 SU in its past three as a road underdog.

Los Angeles Chargers Outlook

The Chargers lost control of their playoff destiny with last week’s stunning defeat at the hands of the bottom-feeding Texans. Even if they win out, the team will need missteps from Baltimore, Miami, and the Raiders to return to the playoff picture. LA also needs to do a far better job of containing opposing offences.

Los Angeles has surrendered 75 total points during its current two-game slide, and has particularly struggled after recess, allowing 24 second-half points in each of their past two outings. But unlike the Broncos, who remain hobbled by a long list of injuries, the Chargers appear to have turned the corner on their recent battle against both injuries and COVID-19.

Among the players set to return are linebacker Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James. COVID protocols kept Bosa out of the lineup last weekend, but the Chargers’ leader in sacks is expected to be available on Sunday. James has not seen action in two of the team’s past three outings due to a hamstring injury, and was sorely missed in the secondary in last weekend’s defeat.

The Picks: Chargers -7.5 (-110); OVER 45.5 (-110)

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