Denver Broncos at LA Chargers odds, picks and predictions

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The Denver Broncos (9-5) visit the LA Chargers (8-6) during the Week 16 edition of Thursday Night Football. Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Broncos vs. Chargers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

Denver sits sixth in the AFC playoff picture, while the Chargers occupy the seventh and final spot. This crucial showdown could all but punch a postseason ticket for the winner.

The Chargers would hold the tiebreaker over Denver if they win this one; they defeated the Broncos 23-16 in Week 6, holding off a 16-points-unanswered comeback while riding RB J.K. Dobbins‘ 102-yard day from scrimmage that also included a TD.

The Bolts have lost 3 of their last 4 games, though, including a demoralizing 40-17 loss in Week 15 on Sunday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Denver heads into this weekend with a much better feeling, having won its last 4 games, a streak punctuated by a 31-13 steamrolling of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw 3 INTs, but also accounted for 3 TD passes, including a fourth-quarter pair that helped seal the victory.

We’ve seen a bit of money movement toward Denver since our First Look on Monday, so let’s see where the Broncos-Chargers lines stand now.

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Broncos at Chargers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Broncos +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Chargers -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Broncos +2.5 (-105) | Chargers -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 42 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Broncos at Chargers key injuries

Broncos

DL John-Franklin Myers (leg) questionable

Chargers

QB Justin Herbert (leg) questionable
TE Will Dissly (arm) questionable
OL Zion Johnson (leg) questionable
S Eli Molden (leg) questionable

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Broncos at Chargers picks and predictions

Prediction

Chargers 23, Broncos 21

Moneyline

This game is basically a coin flip; the spread nails the uncertainty.

There’s value in going against the prediction grain and taking the plus-money with the Broncos, but bettors should prefer taking the points.

PASS.

Against the spread

Both teams have dominated along the line this year (DEN 11-3, LAC 9-5), making this a tough call.

The Broncos +3 we got earlier in the week is now inefficiently taxed, leaving Broncos backers with a less helpful hook to +2.5. Still, that’s probably enough to click this pick, given how Denver remains undervalued in this betting lot.

BET DENVER +2.5 (-105) but look for better alt lines closer to kickoff.

Over/Under

Back the Over as the strongest recommendation of the typical betting categories for this game.

The Chargers should be able to put up enough points by avoiding CB Patrick Surtain Jr. with the likes of WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston lining up all over the field.

Nix and the Broncos’ offensive upside continue to be undervalued, especially resurgent WR Courtland Sutton.

BET OVER 42 (-110).

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