In the final iteration of the 2018 regular season, the Denver Broncos are getting 6.5 points as they prepare to host their AFC West nemesis Los Angeles Chargers to Sports Authority Field at Mile High. CBS will broadcast the action and this late afternoon game is scheduled to start at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos Betting Preview
In this Sunday AFC game, Los Angeles is labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 6.5 points. The Chargers are also receiving -260 moneyline odds while the Broncos are +220. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 41.5 points, and it looks like this matchup will likely offer some in-game betting possibilities.
The line initially opened at 5.5 while the O/U was originally 42.5, so the early action has slanted toward both the Chargers and the under.
The Chargers have gained 3.7 units so far in 2018 and are 8-7 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 8-7. The Broncos are down 2.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 6-8-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-12.
The Chargers are 11-4 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against AFC West opponents. The Broncos are 6-9 SU overall and 2-3 SU against divisional foes.
The Chargers hope to bounce back after a 22-10 defeat to Baltimore last week in which Philip Rivers completed 23 passes for just 181 yards and two interceptions. Melvin Gordon III (just 41 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) led the running attack in the loss while Justin Jackson (seven receptions, 47 yards) and Keenan Allen (five catches, 58 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Denver just fell 27-14 to Oakland in Week 16. The team’s defense let the Raiders run for 114 yards on 30 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Doug Martin put up a solid outing, posting 107 rushing yards and a score on 21 attempts for Oakland. For Denver, Case Keenum completed 23-of-37 passes for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Phillip Lindsay (46 yards on 10 rush attempts) handled the ground game in the defeat as Courtland Sutton (six receptions, 65 yards, one TD) and DaeSean Hamilton (six catches, 40 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps.
Los Angeles has run the ball on 43.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Denver has a rush percentage of 40.5 percent. The Chargers have rushed for 117 yards per game (including 106 per game versus West opponents) and have 15 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Broncos are totaling 122 rush yards per game (145 in conference) and have 18 total rushing TDs.
The Bolts offense has averaged 276 yards through the air overall (340 per game against conference opposition) and has 31 passing scores so far. The Broncos have recorded 243 pass yards per contest (229.6 in the AFC) and have 18 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Los Angeles should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 107 rush yards and 240 pass yards per game. The Denver defense has given up 270.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 119.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Bolts have given up an ANY/A of 6.07 to opposing QBs, while the Broncos are yielding an ANY/A of 6.33.
Offensively, Rivers is up to 3,819 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 69 percent of his 446 attempts with 29 scores through the air and only eight interceptions. Rivers has an 8.16 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 3.51 over the last two outings.
Justin Jackson (138 rushing yards, one rush TD, 108 receiving yards on the year), Mike Williams (523 receiving yards, seven receiving TDs) and Tyrell Williams (559 receiving yards, five TDs) have each played big roles lately.
In the home locker room, Case Keenum has completed 303-of-490 passes for 3,341 yards, 17 TDs and 12 INTs. Keenum’s ANY/A sits at 5.62 for the year and 3.39 over his past two outings.
Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Phillip Lindsay have collectively accounted for 310 total yards the last two games.
RELATED: Week 17 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Chargers at Broncos
SU Winner – Chargers, ATS Winner – Broncos, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Denver defensive unit has created 43 sacks on the year while Los Angeles has just 37.
The Denver offense has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the Los Angeles offense has lost five.
The Chargers offense has created 10 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Broncos have put up eight such plays.
The Los Angeles defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Denver has given up nine such plays.
The Los Angeles offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Denver has created 12 such runs.
The Chargers defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Broncos have given up 14 such runs.
The Over/Under for Denver’s previous matchup was set at 42. The under cashed in the team’s 27-14 loss to Oakland.
Over its last three matchups, Denver is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
Over its last three contests, Los Angeles is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Los Angeles’ last game going into it was 43. The under cashed in the team’s 22-10 defeat to Baltimore.
Los Angeles has rushed for 3.9 yards per attempt over its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
Denver has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.0 over its last two.
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