The Denver Broncos can make it four wins a row when they host a healing Los Angeles Chargers squad on Sunday in some AFC West action.
The 3-2 Broncos are fielding a top-five defence that is swarming opposing offences. In last week’s 34-18 win over Las Vegas, All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II found the end zone via a 100-yard pick-six. Work-in-progress is still an accurate descriptor for Sean Payton’s offence, but at least there’s progress with Denver quarterback Bo Nix, who contributed a trio of touchdowns and no turnovers in the Broncos Week 5 victory.
Los Angeles is coming off a much-needed bye. The 2-2 Chargers again have several key players banged up, starting with quarterback Justin Herbert. When the team returned to the field Monday, Herbert was sporting a brace on his sprained ankle but by all accounts, is good to play.
Kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High goes at 4:05 p.m. EDT with the Chargers a -165 road favourite on the moneyline and the over-under at 35.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Denver’s surprise 3-2 start, again backed by stout defensive play, has them off to a roaring start covering the spread. The Broncos are 4-1 ATS this season and are riding a three-game win streak. The 2-2 Chargers are 4-0 to the under this season. Prior to their bye week, L.A. had scored 10 points in each of their back-to-back losses. A hurt Justin Herbert has yet to reach 200 passing yards in a game this season, but the Chargers do rank as a top 10 rushing offence with 127.8 rushing yards per contest.
Head-to-head, the Broncos are both 7-3 outright and ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Chargers. This includes five straight wins at home against the Chargers. Last week Denver snapped a five-year losing streak against a divisional opponent in Las Vegas, but when it comes to Los Angeles — it’s been all Broncos in this divisional matchup.
Los Angeles Chargers
A hurt Justin Herbert (ankle) should be good to go Sunday and his young tackles could be returning after some injury woes of their own. Both Joe Alt (knee) and Rashawn Slater (pectoral) were limited in Wednesday’s practice, which is better than a DNP beside their names. Edge rusher Joey Bosa (hip) did have the DNP for Wednesday, as did running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and cornerbacks Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) and Kristian Fulton (knee).
J.K. Dobbins continues to be the lead running back, and now pass-catching back for L.A. with a team-high 384 total yards through four games. No other Chargers player is above 200, meaning the likes of Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Ladd McConkey need to find another gear.
Denver Broncos
The Bo Nix experiment may be working out. The 2024 12th overall pick delivered another steady outing in Week 5 with three scores and no turnovers in the 34-18 victory. Running back Javonte Williams got a much-needed 100 total yards in the win, racking up 61 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards. Albeit with minimal help at the QB position, Williams is one of Denver’s skill players who really hasn’t reached full potential in the past 20 games. So if Denver can count on 100 yards an outing from Williams, then Nix and the offence can actually compete to win games.
The defence is doing its job to keep Denver alive, too. The Broncos rank second in the NFL in points allowed per game (14.6) while having Pat Surtain II as a true lockdown corner, a rarity these days.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Chargers vs. Broncos?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 6 Oct 11:25pm | - | - | O +36.5 -110 |
Closing 13 Oct 10:24pm | - | - | U +30.5 -140 |
- Regular Season
Chargers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
670 |
Passing |
1889 |
Receiving |
37 |
Sacks |
5.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
4 |
Rushing |
388 |
Passing |
1968 |
Receiving |
42 |
Sacks |
7 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
670 |
Passing |
1889 |
Receiving |
37 |
Sacks |
5.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
4 |
Rushing |
388 |
Passing |
1968 |
Receiving |
42 |
Sacks |
7 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather
temp | 65 |
condition | partly-cloudy |
wind | North 7mph |
Injuries
Trey Pipkins III (OT)
JK Scott (P)
Simi Fehoko (WR)
Brenden Rice (WR)
Will Dissly (TE)
Morgan Fox (DL)
Ladd McConkey (WR)
Denzel Perryman (LB)
Stone Smartt (TE)
Ja'Sir Taylor (DB)
Michael Burton (FB)
Lucas Krull (TE)
P.J. Locke (S)
Mike McGlinchey (OT)
Malcolm Roach (DT)
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB)
Riley Moss (CB)
Justin Strnad (LB)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
John Franklin-Myers (DE)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trey Pipkins III (OT) | Questionable | Ankle - 10 / 11 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Pipkins is hobbled by an ankle injury, and it has yet to be determined if he suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, November 17th. |
|||||
JK Scott (P) | Questionable | Ankle - 07 / 11 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Scott is fighting off an ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Titans on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Simi Fehoko (WR) | Out indefinitely | Elbow - 03 / 11 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Fehoko is placed on the injured reserve list with an elbow injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Titans on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Brenden Rice (WR) | Out indefinitely | Shoulder - 01 / 11 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Rice has been placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery. |
|||||
Will Dissly (TE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Dissly is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Browns on Sunday. |
|||||
Morgan Fox (DL) | Ques Sun | Groin - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Fox is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Browns on Sunday. |
|||||
Ladd McConkey (WR) | Ques Sun | Hip - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
McConkey is dealing with a hip injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play Sunday against the Browns. |
|||||
Denzel Perryman (LB) | Ques Sun | Toe - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Perryman is battling with a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Browns on Sunday. |
|||||
Stone Smartt (TE) | Questionable | Ankle - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Smartt is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Bengals on Sunday, November 17th. |
|||||
Ja'Sir Taylor (DB) | Ques Sun | Leg - 31 / 10 / 24 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Taylor is fighting off with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Browns on Sunday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Burton (FB) | Ques Sun | Foot - 30 / 10 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Burton is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Ravens on Sunday. |
|||||
Lucas Krull (TE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Krull left the game due to an shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday. |
|||||
P.J. Locke (S) | Questionable | Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Locke is nursing a thumb injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Mike McGlinchey (OT) | Questionable | Knee - 24 / 10 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
McGlinchey is laid up with a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Falcons on Sunday, November 17th. |
|||||
Malcolm Roach (DT) | Ques Sun | Illness - 24 / 10 / 24 | 3-1 | 3-1 | + - |
Roach is ailing from an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
McMillian is managing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Saints on Thursday. |
|||||
Riley Moss (CB) | Ques Thurs | Hip - 16 / 10 / 24 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
Moss is bothered by a hip injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Saints on Thursday. |
|||||
Justin Strnad (LB) | Ques Thurs | Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
Strnad is battling a ribs injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Thursday's lineup versus the Saints. |
|||||
Pat Surtain II (CB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
Surtain missed the previous game due to a concussion, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
John Franklin-Myers (DE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24 | 4-2 | 5-1 | + - |
Franklin-Myers is managing a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday against the Chargers. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Oct 11:25pm - - O +36.5 -110 Closing 13 Oct 10:24pm - - U +30.5 -140 -
- Regular Season
Chargers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 670
Passing 1889
Receiving 37
Sacks 5.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 4
Rushing 388
Passing 1968
Receiving 42
Sacks 7
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 670
Passing 1889
Receiving 37
Sacks 5.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 4
Rushing 388
Passing 1968
Receiving 42
Sacks 7
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 65 condition partly-cloudy wind North 7mph -
Injuries
Trey Pipkins III (OT)
Questionable Ankle - 10 / 11 / 24JK Scott (P)
Questionable Ankle - 07 / 11 / 24Simi Fehoko (WR)
Out indefinitely Elbow - 03 / 11 / 24Brenden Rice (WR)
Out indefinitely Shoulder - 01 / 11 / 24Will Dissly (TE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24Morgan Fox (DL)
Ques Sun Groin - 31 / 10 / 24Ladd McConkey (WR)
Ques Sun Hip - 31 / 10 / 24Denzel Perryman (LB)
Ques Sun Toe - 31 / 10 / 24Stone Smartt (TE)
Questionable Ankle - 31 / 10 / 24Ja'Sir Taylor (DB)
Ques Sun Leg - 31 / 10 / 24Michael Burton (FB)
Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 10 / 24Lucas Krull (TE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24P.J. Locke (S)
Questionable Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24Mike McGlinchey (OT)
Questionable Knee - 24 / 10 / 24Malcolm Roach (DT)
Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 10 / 24Ja'Quan McMillian (CB)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24Riley Moss (CB)
Ques Thurs Hip - 16 / 10 / 24Justin Strnad (LB)
Ques Thurs Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24Pat Surtain II (CB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24John Franklin-Myers (DE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Trey Pipkins III (OT) Questionable Ankle - 10 / 11 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Pipkins is hobbled by an ankle injury, and it has yet to be determined if he suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, November 17th.
JK Scott (P) Questionable Ankle - 07 / 11 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Scott is fighting off an ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Titans on Sunday, November 10th.
Simi Fehoko (WR) Out indefinitely Elbow - 03 / 11 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Fehoko is placed on the injured reserve list with an elbow injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Titans on Sunday, November 10th.
Brenden Rice (WR) Out indefinitely Shoulder - 01 / 11 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Rice has been placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and he is without a definitive timetable for recovery.
Will Dissly (TE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Dissly is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Browns on Sunday.
Morgan Fox (DL) Ques Sun Groin - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Fox is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Browns on Sunday.
Ladd McConkey (WR) Ques Sun Hip - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - McConkey is dealing with a hip injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play Sunday against the Browns.
Denzel Perryman (LB) Ques Sun Toe - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Perryman is battling with a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Browns on Sunday.
Stone Smartt (TE) Questionable Ankle - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Smartt is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Bengals on Sunday, November 17th.
Ja'Sir Taylor (DB) Ques Sun Leg - 31 / 10 / 24 3-0 1-2 + - Taylor is fighting off with a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Browns on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Burton (FB) Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 10 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Burton is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Ravens on Sunday.
Lucas Krull (TE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Krull left the game due to an shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday.
P.J. Locke (S) Questionable Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Locke is nursing a thumb injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th.
Mike McGlinchey (OT) Questionable Knee - 24 / 10 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - McGlinchey is laid up with a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Falcons on Sunday, November 17th.
Malcolm Roach (DT) Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 10 / 24 3-1 3-1 + - Roach is ailing from an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday.
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB) Ques Thurs Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24 3-2 4-1 + - McMillian is managing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Saints on Thursday.
Riley Moss (CB) Ques Thurs Hip - 16 / 10 / 24 3-2 4-1 + - Moss is bothered by a hip injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Saints on Thursday.
Justin Strnad (LB) Ques Thurs Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24 3-2 4-1 + - Strnad is battling a ribs injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Thursday's lineup versus the Saints.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Ques Sun Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24 3-2 4-1 + - Surtain missed the previous game due to a concussion, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Panthers on Sunday.
John Franklin-Myers (DE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24 4-2 5-1 + - Franklin-Myers is managing a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday against the Chargers.