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David Bastl
Broncos vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 5 Odds
Dating back to last season (week 14), the Denver Broncos currently own the longest active losing streak in the NFL. They have lost eight-straight games, and are now facing a divisional opponent (Los Angeles) that evened its record last week against another winless team in Miami.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Broncos are 0-4 on the season, and are also having a hard time covering the spread, as they are currently 1-3 against the number. However, perhaps that trend is in the rear view mirror as they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games in Los Angeles. Also, the road team in this head-to-head series is 12-4-2 ATS in their last 18 meetings.
Last year the two teams split the regular season series, each winning in the others stadium.
Another number to watch in this game is the total. The under has hit in six consecutive games when these two teams have played in Los Angeles, and the under is also 9-4 in the last 13 games overall.
Denver Broncos
This hasn’t been the start of the season new Head Coach Vic Fangio had wanted in the Mile High city. The Broncos are one of five teams that haven’t won a game this season, and things have now gone from bad to worse on the injury front. The team will be missing a key piece on their defence for the remainder of the season as Bradley Chubb torn his ACL in the loss to the Jaguars last Sunday. Currently, the next men up to replace Chubb are a pair of rookies — Malik Reed and Justin Hollins.
Quarterback Joe Flacco has already come under fire – not being able to put his team over the top. The largest margin of loss for the Broncos is 11 points, including two of the four losses by only two points.
Although their record doesn’t show it, they are middle of the pack in offence (18th) and also on defence (15th). Speaking of defence, it will be interesting to see how this team handles the combination of Gordon and Ekeler. One weakness the Broncos have is covering the run, as it ranks 28th in the league allowing an average of 149.3 yards per game (30th).
Los Angeles Chargers
Melvin Gordon ended his holdout with the team and returned to the club last week. He didn’t see action in the teams win over the Dolphins, but is expected to play this week. Gordon has averaged more than 120 yards from scrimmage in six of his last seven games against divisional rival Denver.
It will be interesting to see how the team uses Austin Ekeler who has been the team’s starter in Gordon’s absence. Ekeler has 56 carries for 220 yards (three touchdowns) and 24 catches for 270 yards (three touchdowns).
Interestingly enough, although Philip Rivers has had a good NFL career his record isn’t against the Broncos. The 37 year-old has a 13-14 mark (regular season) against Denver as he is set to make his 213th career start on Sunday.
DEN
LAC