Broncos vs. Chargers Spread Prediction
The Chargers still have an opportunity to win the AFC West and clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs but they need to beat the Broncos and have the Chiefs lose to the Raiders. Listed as a 7-point favorite, will the Bolts cover today at 4:25 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
327 Los Angeles Chargers at 328 Denver Broncos
4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 30
Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, CO
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Chargers are 7-point favorites to beat the Broncos. The total, meanwhile, sits at 43.5 points. As of this writing, 63% of the public betting tickets are on the Chargers to cover the point spread.
Los Angeles Chargers
Coach Anthony Lynn confirmed Monday the Chargers will be playing starters in Week 17 against the Broncos. The Chargers are coming off a home loss to Baltimore. “We’re going into this game no different than any other game,” Lynn confirmed. “We’re not worrying about resting people. We’re trying to win the game. Herm Edwards said it best – you play to win.” Expect all hands on deck, even banged-up Melvin Gordon (knee) and Keenan Allen (hip) as the Broncos play the role of Week 17 spoiler.
Denver Broncos
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s “possible” the Broncos could retain Vance Joseph as head coach and pair him with Gary Kubiak at offensive coordinator. However, the more likely scenario is that Denver moves on from Joseph following Week 17. Kubiak has filled a front office role since his retirement from coaching, though there have been rumblings he could return to the sideline as an offensive coordinator. The former Broncos and Texans head honcho boasts 23 years of NFL coaching experience.
NFL Betting Trends
Los Angeles
The Chargers are 20-8-1 against the spread in their last 29 road games.
Denver
The Broncos are 8-18-1 against the number in their last 27 games overall.
Prediction
Those that cozied up to the TV on Christmas Eve saw a hapless Broncos team get thumped by a bad Raiders squad but I also think that created value in today’s line. The Broncos are tough to beat at home and they should come out loose today with nothing to play for outside of spoiling things for the Chargers. Seven points is a lot to lay on a road favorite playing a divisional game on the road. If the Broncos come out like they did in Oakland this will be a route but again, I expect Denver to play with some pride in front of its home crowd in the season finale.
NFL Week 17 Prediction: Denver Broncos +7