LA Chargers vs Denver Broncos Odds, Betting Lines, Picks, and Predictions
- The LA Chargers (6-4) visit the Denver Broncos (5-5) in Week 12
- 2021 Record: 7-3, +2.42 units
- See the odds, preview and prediction for the first installment of this AFC West rivalry this season
The LA Chargers have gone from controlling their own destiny atop the AFC West, to just another team looking up at the Chiefs.
Justin Herbert and LA stormed out to a 4-1 start. Since then, the Chargers have gone 2-3 over their last five, squeaking wins out over the Eagles and Steelers.
In Denver, the Broncos got off to a 3-0 start, but followed it up with four-straight losses. Then after wins over Washington and Dallas, they fell to the Eagles in Week 10.
After their bye week, Denver now gets set to host the Chargers for the first time this season at 4:05 pm EST from Empower Field at Mile High.
Chargers vs Broncos Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | -140 | -2.5 (-115) | Ov 48.0 (-110) |
| Denver Broncos | +120 | +2.5 (-105) | Un 48.0 (-110) |
Odds as of November 27th at DraftKings
The Chargers opened as road favorites by a full two points. Partway through the week that had worked it’s way up to 2.5. After opening up 4-1 against the spread, LA has not been kind to bettors lately, going 1-4 ATS. The total has gone over in three of those five.
NFL Public Money has not been kind to the Broncos, and with good reason. The Broncos are just 2-5 ATS, with their two outright victories accounting for the covers.
Chargers vs Broncos Injury Report
Coming off of a bye, the Broncos used it to get healthy, but there’s one big injury concern on the back end.
Safety Kareem Jackson missed a handful of plays against the Eagles with a neck injury. Things started trending downwards this week when Jackson was a DNP all three days. Rookie Caden Sterns would step in for him.
Week 11 Injury Report
| Chargers | Injury, Status | Broncos | Injury, Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Feller, G | Ankle, Questionable | Tyrie Cleveland, WR | Hamstring, Questionable |
| Trey Marshall, DB | Ankle/Hip, Questionable | Shelby Harris, DE | Ankle, Questionable |
| Asante Samuel Jr, CB | Concussion, Out | Mike Boone, RB | Hip, Questionable |
| Alohi Gilman, S | Quad, Out | Bobby Massie, T | Ankle, Doubtful |
| N/A | N/A | Kareem Jackson, S | Neck, Doubtful |
For the Chargers, one of their injuries stands out. For the second time in a month, rookie CB Asante Samuel Jr will miss time with a concussion. It’s also another injury that a banged-up secondary will have to deal with.
Just confirmed on the broadcast that Asante Samuel Jr. did indeed suffer his second concussion of the season.
Scary situation for a ridiculously talented young player. Hoping for all of the best.
— Daniel Wade (@dantalkssports) November 22, 2021
Some outlets have reported that this will be a lengthy absence for Samuel.
Chargers vs Broncos Head-to-Head
Divisional games are always tough to get a read on.
Regardless of the spread and the disparity in talent on the sidelines, things are tight more often than not. Denver’s calling card for years has been their defense, and while they haven’t always limited the points against LA, they’ve always given their offense a chance.
Chargers vs Broncos: Last Five Games
| Date | Away Team | Home Team | Result | Closing Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 30, 2018 | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos | 23-9 Chargers | LAC -7.0 | 43.5 (Under) |
| October 6, 2019 | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers | 20-13 Broncos | LAC -4.0 | 46.0 (Under) |
| December 1, 2019 | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos | 23-20 Broncos | LAC -4.5 | 39.0 (Over) |
| November 1, 2020 | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos | 31-30 Broncos | LAC -3.0 | 44.5 (Over) |
| November 19, 2020 | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers | 19-16 Chargers | LAC -2.5 | 47.5 (Under) |
The Chargers have actually been favored in six-straight matchups between the two sides. If the Broncos are looking to put their recent slide ATS to rest, then maybe a divisional game with the Chargers is what they’re looking for.
The Chargers have won five straight AFC West games.
The Chargers have covered five straight AFC West games.
The Broncos have lost five straight AFC West games. https://t.co/al54QXHepa
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) November 26, 2021
Four of the last five between these two have been decided by one score, with Denver pulling off the upset and covering in three of them.
LA Chargers in Wins and Losses
For the most part, the Chargers have been able to keep themselves within striking distance of their games.
Whether it’s the play of Justin Herbert or their defense, eight of LA’s games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
LA Chargers: Wins vs Losses
| 32.1 | Avg. Points For | 16.7 |
| 26.1 | Points Against | 27.0 |
| 322.0 | Passing Yards For | 218.0 |
| 208.3 | Passing Yards Against | 212.3 |
| 115.8 | Rushing Yards For | 91.5 |
| 136.8 | Rushing Yards against | 157.5 |
LA’s results really come down to how well Justin Herbert is playing and how well the other team can run.
Following losses to the Ravens and Patriots, Herbert admitted that the two teams did things he wasn’t expecting. An unexpected speedbump for the sophomore.
When Herbert has his way with a team, the Chargers normally win. In just two starts against the Broncos, he’s 1-1 with four touchdowns, two interceptions, and 531 yards. He actually had more yards passing (278) in his loss to Denver in 2020 than his win.
LA Chargers vs Denver Broncos Prediction
Things seem destined to be close between these two teams based on their past results. But Denver’s consistency this season has been troubling.
Their 3-0 start came against the Giants, Jaguars and Jets. Then they beat Washington and, surprisingly, the Cowboys. A week after beating Dallas they lost to the Eagles at home, managing just 96 yards on the ground and 212 through the air.
With the volatility of their performances, it’s tough to trust the Broncos to cover. This could easily be a one-point or two-score game. But the Chargers have more talent and should be looking to string some wins together.
The Pick: LA Chargers (-140); 1 unit
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Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
