Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Picks and Odds Week 17
Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Betting Preview
WagerTalk NFL handicapper Andy Lang offers his Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Week 17 betting preview for Sunday, January 2. At the time of posting, the Chargers have climbed to a 7.5-point home favorite over the visiting Broncos, with the total sitting at 45.5 points.
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| NFL Week 17 | Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Los Angeles Chargers -7.5 vs Denver Broncos |
| Total: | 45.5 Points |
| Game Time: | 4:05pm ET / 1:05pm PT on Sunday, January 2 |
| Stadium: | SoFi Stadium in Inglewood |
| TV: | CBS |
Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Analysis
Sunday’s Week 17 AFC West matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers features two teams vying for a spot in the AFC playoff picture. The Chargers were dealt an ugly road loss by a score of 41-27 against the Houston Texans. The Broncos are coming off a 17-13 defeat on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Denver won at home in a Week 12 matchup against the Chargers by a score of 28-13. Teddy Bridgewater was the Broncos quarterback in that game while Drew Lock will be at the helm this Sunday.
The Denver Broncos playoff hopes are slipping away and they will need to win the next two games to get a Wild Card spot. Their offense is not nearly as explosive with Drew Lock at quarterback, as he only threw for 153 yards last week.
The Broncos do have a ground game that has the ability to grind the game away and keep the ball out of Justin Herbert’s hands. Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams are the only running back duo in the league to both rush for over 750 yards. To put things in perspective, only 14 other teams have a single running back with over 750 yards.
The Denver defense is truly one of the elite units in the league. They allow an average of 17.3 points a game, which ranks them No. 1 in the league. Their pass defense ranks 5th, while the rush defense is 13th overall.
The Los Angeles Chargers suffered an embarrassing loss the Houston Texans last week. They did have several players out with Covid protocols including running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Mike Williams. Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert continues to post big numbers including eight 300 yard games to accompany 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
The Chargers offense scores 27.2 points a game, good for 8th in the league. However their defense has been atrocious. They gave up well over 400 yards last week against the Texans and allow 27.4 points a game, ranking them 31st in the NFL.
The Los Angeles Chargers are favored by 7.5 points with an over/under of 45.5. The home team is 6-3-1 against the spread in the last ten head-to-head matchups. Justin Herbert is by far the most talented offensive player on the field, but his defense consistently let’s him down.
These teams are polar opposites when it comes to going over or under a total. Tough to tell what wins out. The Broncos defense has been on point, as they have held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 17 points or less. The Broncos already beat the Chargers 28-13, so we will count on a close game and take Denver +7.5. We also have to keep in mind that the Chargers roster is littered with injuries and players in Covid health and safety protocol.
Official Play: Denver Broncos +7.5
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Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Preview from GoldSheet
With the Broncos’ longshot postseason hopes now reduced to mathematical improbabilities, Denver is effectively in a spoiler’s role this week vs. the revenge-minded Bolts, and we don’t need Nostradamus to predict that Fangio’s job might hang in the balance.
Despite the blackout on the offensive side, Denver still competing hard, and it’s a fact that Justin Herbert has had all sorts of problems with Fangio’s stop unit the last two times he has faced Denver, including Nov. 28 at Mile High when intercepted twice (once for a long pick-six by Patrick Surtain II) and generally harried in a 28-13 loss. That was also with a full complement of weapons, too; minus Austin Ekeler and others last week, the Bolts couldn’t even win at Houston, endangering AFC wild card hopes.
Worrisome, too, is a leaky rush D that has been one of the NFL’s worst and might be just what the doctor ordered for a once chop-busting Broncos infantry has slowed the past two weeks but did slash for 147 YR in the first meeting behind ex-Charger Melvin Gordon III’s 83 YR vs. his old team.
Not sure if Drew Lock gets another chance at QB, as with faint playoff hopes would suspect Teddy B might be back at the controls if he can pass concussion protocols, but we suspect it will be a run-heavy Denver diet even if John Elway is summoned from his now-ceremonial front office role. Whatever the dynamics, one near-constant in games involving Uncle Vic’s defense this season has been the “under” (12-3).
NFL Week 17 Stat Sheet
NFL handicappers Ralph Michaels and JM Sports put together a weekly NFL stat sheet that features game logs and key statistical notes for each team. Don’t place a bet on Sunday’s Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos clash before diving into this FREE download.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Video Preview
WagerTalk NFL handicappers Kelly Stewart, Adam Trigger and Dave Cokin share their thoughts on Sunday’s Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos matchup in the AFC West.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, first half lines and betting percentages for all of the NFL Week 17 games, including this Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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