Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 12/19/2024 8:15 PM EST

We have your Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Denver Broncos hit the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Denver Broncos +130 (Caesars) / Los Angeles Chargers -148 (DraftKings)
Best Spread Odds: -2.5 - Denver Broncos -105 (BetMGM) / Los Angeles Chargers -115 (bet365)
Best Total Odds: 42.0 - Under -110 (DraftKings) / Over -110 (DraftKings)

Underdog: Free Pick for NEW Customers: Justin Herbert Total Yards > 0.5
Betr: Free Pick for NEW Customers: Justin Herbert Total Passing Attempts > 0.5

Game Info

Date: 12/19/2024
Time: 8:15 PM EST
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
TV: Prime Video

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past two seasons, the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers have faced each other three times. In these matchups, the Broncos emerged victorious twice, while the Chargers secured one win. The visiting team has had the upper hand, winning two out of the three games, with the home team winning only once. Against the spread, the Broncos have covered twice, and the Chargers have covered once. The games have leaned towards lower scoring, with the total going under twice and over once. These contests have been closely contested, with the spread movement and outcomes reflecting the competitive nature of the matchups.

The most recent encounter between these two teams took place on October 13, 2024, where the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 23-16. The Chargers, playing as the visiting team, were favored with a closing spread of -3 and successfully covered the spread. The game total went over the closing over-under of 37.0. The Chargers' offense was efficient, accumulating 350 total yards and converting 11 of 18 third downs. Justin Herbert led the Chargers with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Kimani Vidal, and J.K. Dobbins added a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Cameron Dicker contributed three field goals to the Chargers' scoring. The Broncos, despite a late rally with two touchdown passes from Bo Nix, could not overcome the early deficit. The Chargers' defense played a crucial role, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Broncos to 316 total yards.

In the previous two games of the 2023 season, the Broncos won both matchups. On December 31, 2023, the Broncos defeated the Chargers 16-9 at home, covering the spread as favorites. The game went under the total, with both teams struggling offensively. Earlier that season, on December 10, 2023, the Broncos won 24-7 on the road against the Chargers, again covering the spread as underdogs. This game also went under the total, with the Broncos' defense dominating, allowing only one touchdown. The Broncos' ability to win both as favorites and underdogs, along with their defensive prowess, has been a key factor in their recent success against the Chargers.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Preview

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are set to clash in a pivotal AFC West showdown on Thursday Night Football, with both teams vying for crucial playoff positioning. The Broncos, riding a four-game winning streak, have surged to a 9-5 record and are on the brink of securing a playoff berth. Their recent victory over the Indianapolis Colts, albeit aided by the Colts' miscues, showcased their opportunistic nature. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been at the helm, displaying flashes of brilliance with three touchdown passes last week, though his three interceptions highlight the growing pains of a first-year signal-caller.

On the other side, the Chargers, at 8-6, are looking to rebound from a disappointing 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite their recent struggles, including a two-game losing streak, the Chargers remain in the playoff hunt, currently holding the seventh seed in the AFC. Quarterback Justin Herbert, a seasoned veteran compared to Nix, has been steady, though the Chargers' offense has been inconsistent, particularly in the running game, which has been hampered by injuries to key players like J.K. Dobbins.

Defensively, both teams boast formidable units, with the Chargers and Broncos tied for the best scoring defense in the league, allowing just 17.6 points per game. However, the Chargers' defense is coming off its worst performance of the season, having allowed over 500 yards to the Buccaneers. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be keen to rectify these issues, particularly in containing Nix's mobility, which has been a challenge for the Chargers against mobile quarterbacks in recent weeks.

The Broncos, under the guidance of head coach Sean Payton, have shown resilience and adaptability, traits that will be crucial as they face a Chargers team desperate to regain its footing. The Broncos' ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes, as seen in their recent win over the Colts, could be a deciding factor in this matchup. With both teams having much at stake, this contest promises to be a tightly contested affair, reflective of their recent encounters, where the visiting team has often had the upper hand.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Pick: Total Points Over

As the Denver Broncos prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a crucial AFC West matchup, the betting line for total points is set at 42.0. Despite both teams boasting strong defenses, recent trends and circumstances suggest that the over is a compelling pick for this Thursday Night Football clash.

Both the Broncos and Chargers have shown vulnerabilities in their defenses in recent weeks. The Chargers, in particular, are coming off a dismal performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they allowed 40 points and over 500 yards. This was a stark departure from their usual defensive prowess, indicating potential cracks that the Broncos could exploit. Denver's offense, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, has been opportunistic, capitalizing on opponents' mistakes, as evidenced by their recent 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. While Nix has had his struggles, including three interceptions last week, he also demonstrated his ability to find the end zone with three touchdown passes.

On the other side, the Chargers' offense, despite its inconsistencies, is led by the experienced Justin Herbert, who has the capability to exploit any defensive lapses. The Chargers have been struggling to find the end zone consistently, but with the stakes high and a playoff spot on the line, they will be motivated to put up points. Additionally, the Chargers' previous encounter with the Broncos this season saw them score 23 points, and with the Broncos' defense showing some susceptibility, a similar or better offensive output is plausible.

Historically, matchups between these two teams have been closely contested, with the potential for scoring swings. The Chargers' need to rebound from their recent losses and the Broncos' drive to secure a playoff berth could lead to a more open and high-scoring game than the defenses' season averages might suggest. Given these dynamics, the over on the total points line of 42.0 appears to be a strong play, as both teams have the offensive weapons and motivation to surpass this mark.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Top Player Prop Picks

Bo Nix Over 19.5 Rushing Yards -110 (bet365)

Bo Nix has been a dynamic presence for the Denver Broncos, particularly with his ability to extend plays with his legs. As noted in the research, Nix has scrambled 38 times this season, accumulating 264 yards, which places him among the top quarterbacks in terms of rushing attempts. His mobility has been a consistent asset, and against a Chargers defense that has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield in recent weeks, Nix is poised to exploit this vulnerability. With the Chargers' defense coming off a game where they allowed over 500 yards, Nix's rushing ability could be a key factor in Denver's offensive strategy, making the over on 19.5 rushing yards a compelling pick.

Ladd McConkey Over 5.5 Receptions -120 (FanDuel)

Ladd McConkey has emerged as a reliable target for the Chargers, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards. His recent performances have been impressive, with more than 50 receiving yards in seven consecutive games and an average of 95.3 yards over his last four contests. McConkey's role in the Chargers' offense has been pivotal, especially with the team struggling to find consistency in their running game. Given the Broncos' defensive focus on limiting big plays, McConkey's ability to find space in short to intermediate routes will be crucial. With the Chargers needing to bounce back from recent losses, expect Justin Herbert to lean heavily on McConkey, making the over on 5.5 receptions a strong play.

Justin Herbert Over 0.5 Interceptions +110 (bet365)

Despite Justin Herbert's impressive track record of protecting the football, the recent trends suggest a potential for turnovers in this matchup. Herbert threw just his second interception of the season against the Buccaneers, ending a remarkable streak of 357 passes without a pick. The Broncos' defense, while not as statistically dominant as the Chargers', has shown a knack for capitalizing on opponents' mistakes, as evidenced by their recent victory over the Colts, where they forced multiple turnovers. With the Chargers' offense under pressure to perform and Herbert facing a Broncos team that has been opportunistic, the odds of him throwing at least one interception are favorable, making the over on 0.5 interceptions an intriguing proposition.