Get ready for Thursday Night Football! Explore the latest odds and expert picks for the Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers matchup. Don't miss out!
There are substantial stakes on the line when the Los Angeles Chargers host the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football this week. Both teams are likely to make the playoffs at this point, but the Chargers are still teetering a bit as they have only beaten one team with a winning record all season. That team was the Broncos in Week 6, so a win for the Chargers would give them the tiebreaker in the head-to-head race and it would likely punch their postseason ticket. Meanwhile, a Denver win would lock up a playoff spot for the Broncos, leaving just two spots remaining in the AFC race.
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Week 16 Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos +3 Los Angeles Chargers -3 Total 42.5
It made sense to see this line open with the Los Angeles Chargers installed as a field goal favorite by the NFL betting odds. That’s probably where the line will close too as these teams appear to be evenly matched and the Chargers have home field advantage. As for the total, that number has risen by a half-point since it opened on Sunday evening.
Denver Broncos Overview
Rookie Bo Nix has led the Denver Broncos to four straight wins. The Broncos have won all of those games by at least nine points, but none of their opponents currently have a winning record.
Nix has had a pretty decent rookie year though. He checks down more than he should for a quarterback with his level of experience, but he is completing 63.6% of his passes for 2,972 yards (6.4 YPA) with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That has to give the Broncos’ faithful a lot of hope for their future as Sean Payton appears to be getting the most out of his new quarterback.
The offensive success has been all the more impressive since Denver doesn’t have a player that has rushed for over 500 yards. Javonte Williams is the leading rusher with 461 yards and four touchdowns, but he is averaging just 3.5 YPC. Jaleel McLaughlin as seen more of the workload lately, but he is considered questionable to play with a quad injury, and rookie Audric Estime has been underwhelming.
Denver leads the league in scoring defense, allowing just 17.6 PPG. The Broncos are giving up 4.8 yards per play (2nd in the NFL) and also rank second in the league in rushing yards per play, passing yards per play, and red zone defense. Patrick Surtain II continues to be the best cornerback in the league, and Nik Bonitto is having an All-Pro caliber year with 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Los Angeles Chargers Overview
There are renewed questions about the Los Angeles Chargers after last week’s blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chargers lost at home by 23 points just a week after narrowly losing to Kansas City in Arrowhead Stadium, and the Buccaneers outscored the Chargers 27-0 in the second half.
Justin Herbert has been very efficient through the air. Herbert is completing 63.9% of his passes for 2,959 yards (7.4 YPA) with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions. Rookie Ladd McConkey should surpass the 1,000-yard mark with 63 receptions for 873 yards and five touchdowns, and Quentin Johnston has become a big play threat in his second season. However, both Herbert and Johnston are banged up and have injury designations.
That puts some pressure on Gus Edwards with J.K. Dobbins out. Edwards hasn’t been as effective as Dobbins with just 297 yards while averaging 3.4 YPC. In Edwards’ three games without Dobbins leading the way, he has carried the ball 24 times for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Los Angeles is also allowing 17.6 PPG, but the Chargers have been very fortunate. They are giving up 5.4 yards per play and largely succeed thanks to some red zone luck and turnovers. Opponents are also converting just 72.7% of their field goals against LA, while the Chargers are making 93.6% of their field goals.
Thursday Night Football Prediction
There is just too much to like with Denver here to take the home team. The Broncos will get a huge win that will ensure them of a playoff berth.
Final Score: Denver 23, Los Angeles 20
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