Both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have hit a slump at the worst time, but one is ending Sunday when the go head-to-head in L.A.
Each club has dropped two consecutive contests, which has all but eliminated the 7-8 Broncos and then put the 8-7 Chargers right in the middle of the playoff mix.
Denver’s likely still going to be without starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this weekend, which means it’ll be Drew Lock under centre again. But if Davis Mills and the Texans can score 40 on the Chargers, who’s to say the Drew Lock-led Broncos can’t do the same?
Kickoff at SoFi Stadium is set for 4:05 p.m. EST. Los Angeles sits as a 6.5-point favourite at home, with the total at 46 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
As AFC West opponents, this is the second and final regular season match between the Broncos and Chargers this season. Denver took their first game by a score of 28-13 back in Week 12. Rookie corner Pat Surtain II had two interceptions, one of which went back for six, while the Broncos rushed for 147 yards. The Chargers rank 29th in the NFL with 140.3 rushing yards allowed per game, and got gashed last week for 189 in Houston.
Denver struggles offensively though, which a 12-3 record to the under this season proves. Six of the Broncos’ seven road games have gone under the total too. Both teams are 7-8 against the spread in 2021.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have hit an expected downfall: offence. In their last five losses, they’ve failed to reach 15 points. And in their last three their opponent has not scored more than 22. Last week’s 17-13 defeat at Las Vegas also saw the Broncos blow a 13-7 lead heading into halftime.
Denver’s relied on their two running backs, Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams. The rookie leads them with 827 rushing yards but Gordon has seven scores. When you see the two combined for 8 rushing yards on 14 carries last week, it’s clear why Denver fell to the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers 12-point loss at Houston was one of the season’s biggest upsets, and just made their problems clearer. Defence is the core, but it stems at their rush defence which got exposed by the league’s worst running team last week. Los Angeles is now 31st in points allowed with 27.4 per game, and have given up 96 over their last three showings.
Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert is second in the NFL in yards with 4,394 but is now tied for the league lead with 14 interceptions. The turnover problem arose last time versus Denver, and last weekend in Houston with another two picks.
NFL Prediction Who Will Win Broncos vs. Chargers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 27 Dec 1:05pm | DEN | -6 -111 | O +45.5 -110 |
| Closing 2 Jan 8:17pm | DEN | -8 -110 | O +45.5 -107 |
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
| Touchdowns |
20 |
| Rushing |
911 |
| Passing |
5014 |
| Receiving |
106 |
| Sacks |
10.5 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
- Regular Season
Chargers Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
| Touchdowns |
20 |
| Rushing |
911 |
| Passing |
5014 |
| Receiving |
106 |
| Sacks |
10.5 |
| Interceptions |
2 |
Weather
| temp | 62 |
| condition | sunny |
| wind | Northeast 6mph |
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Nate Hairston (CB)
Noah Fant (TE)
Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Shelby Harris (DE)
Kareem Jackson (S)
Shamar Stephen (DL)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
Javonte Williams (RB)
Drew Lock (QB)
Joe Gaziano (DE)
Linval Joseph (DT)
Damon Lloyd (LB)
Jared Cook (TE)
Damon Lloyd (LB)
Stephen Anderson (TE)
Tevaughn Campbell (CB)
Linval Joseph (DT)
Uchenna Nwosu (LB)
Jerry Tillery (DT)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Massie (T) | Out Sat | Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion. |
|||||
| Nate Hairston (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
| Noah Fant (TE) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Melvin Gordon III (RB) | Prob Sat | Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday. |
|||||
| Shelby Harris (DE) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Kareem Jackson (S) | I-R | Back - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury. |
|||||
| Shamar Stephen (DL) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Pat Surtain II (CB) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear. |
|||||
| Javonte Williams (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Drew Lock (QB) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Gaziano (DE) | Out Sun | Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gaziano is dealing with an ankle injury, and he will not face the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Linval Joseph (DT) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Joseph is projected to line up for Sunday's clash with the Raiders despite a shoulder issue. |
|||||
| Damon Lloyd (LB) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Lloyd has ended up on the injured reserve list with an unspecified ailment, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Jared Cook (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Cook has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
| Damon Lloyd (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Lloyd has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Stephen Anderson (TE) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Anderson is expected to be active against the Broncos on Sunday despite a shoulder injury. |
|||||
| Tevaughn Campbell (CB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Campbell is likely to take on the Broncos on Sunday despite a hamstring issue. |
|||||
| Linval Joseph (DT) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Joseph is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he is expected to take the field against the Broncos on Sunday. |
|||||
| Uchenna Nwosu (LB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Nwosu has injuries to his shoulder and hip, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos. |
|||||
| Jerry Tillery (DT) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Tillery is hobbled by an ankle injury, but he is projected to line up for Sunday's contest against the Broncos. |
|||||
-
DENVER BRONCOS
16 -
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 27 Dec 1:05pm DEN -6 -111 O +45.5 -110 Closing 2 Jan 8:17pm DEN -8 -110 O +45.5 -107 -
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 20
Rushing 911
Passing 5014
Receiving 106
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
-
- Regular Season
Chargers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 20
Rushing 911
Passing 5014
Receiving 106
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
-
Weather
temp 62 condition sunny wind Northeast 6mph -
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22Nate Hairston (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Noah Fant (TE)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22Shelby Harris (DE)
Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22Kareem Jackson (S)
I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22Shamar Stephen (DL)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Pat Surtain II (CB)
Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22Javonte Williams (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22Drew Lock (QB)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22Joe Gaziano (DE)
Out Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22Linval Joseph (DT)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 06 / 01 / 22Damon Lloyd (LB)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 22Jared Cook (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21Damon Lloyd (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21Stephen Anderson (TE)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21Tevaughn Campbell (CB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 21Linval Joseph (DT)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21Uchenna Nwosu (LB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21Jerry Tillery (DT)
Prob Sun Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Bobby Massie (T) Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion.
Nate Hairston (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Noah Fant (TE) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs.
Melvin Gordon III (RB) Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday.
Shelby Harris (DE) Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs.
Kareem Jackson (S) I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury.
Shamar Stephen (DL) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear.
Javonte Williams (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs.
Drew Lock (QB) Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Joe Gaziano (DE) Out Sun Ankle - 06 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Gaziano is dealing with an ankle injury, and he will not face the Raiders on Sunday.
Linval Joseph (DT) Prob Sun Shoulder - 06 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Joseph is projected to line up for Sunday's clash with the Raiders despite a shoulder issue.
Damon Lloyd (LB) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 06 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Lloyd has ended up on the injured reserve list with an unspecified ailment, and there is no timetable for return.
Jared Cook (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Cook has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Damon Lloyd (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 31 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Lloyd has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Stephen Anderson (TE) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Anderson is expected to be active against the Broncos on Sunday despite a shoulder injury.
Tevaughn Campbell (CB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Campbell is likely to take on the Broncos on Sunday despite a hamstring issue.
Linval Joseph (DT) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Joseph is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he is expected to take the field against the Broncos on Sunday.
Uchenna Nwosu (LB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Nwosu has injuries to his shoulder and hip, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Sunday's matchup with the Broncos.
Jerry Tillery (DT) Prob Sun Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21 1-1 2-0 + - Tillery is hobbled by an ankle injury, but he is projected to line up for Sunday's contest against the Broncos.