Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos odds, picks and predictions

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) and Denver Broncos (7-8) meet Sunday for a Week 17 matchup at Empower Field at Mile High. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Chargers vs. Broncos odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Chargers are coming off a heartbreaking 24-22 loss at home against the Buffalo Bills last Saturday, covering the 13-point number as the Under (44) connected. L.A. has lost 3 in a row, although the offense has seen a slight uptick with 21.5 PPG in the past 2 games since QB Easton Stick took over for the injured QB Justin Herbert (finger).

The Broncos were stunned 26-23 at home as 7-point favorites on Christmas Eve night against the lowly New England Patriots. Denver has dropped 2 straight, and 3 of the past 4 games, putting its playoff hopes on life support. The Broncos are also 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in the past 4 games overall.

These teams met at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in Week 14, with the Broncos coming away with a 24-7 win as 3-point underdogs as the Under (46) connected. That's the game Herbert was knocked out with a broken finger on his throwing hand.

Herbert and QB Russell Wilson started that game, but things change quickly in the NFL. Stick starts for the Chargers, and QB Jarrett Stidham was named as the new starter for the Broncos by coach Sean Payton this week. To make matters worse for the Broncos, WR Courtland Sutton is out with a concussion, and WRs Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims are questionable.

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Chargers at Broncos odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:07 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Chargers +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Broncos -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Chargers +3.5 (-110) | Broncos -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 36.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)

Chargers at Broncos key injuries

Chargers

WR Keenan Allen (heel) out
LB Joey Bosa (foot) out
OG Zion Johnson (neck) questionable
CB Deane Leonard (heel) questionable
LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder) doubtful
LB Tanner Muse (knee) doubtful
WR Joshua Palmer (concussion) out
TE Nick Vannett (back) questionable
DT Nick Williams (shoulder) doubtful

Broncos

TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring, foot) out
WR Jerry Jeudy (illness) questionable
WR Marvin Mims (hamstring) questionable
OT Alex Palczewski (knee) out
WR Courtland Sutton (concussion) out
RB Dwayne Washington (illness) questionable

Chargers at Broncos picks and predictions

Prediction

Chargers 22, Broncos 20

Moneyline

The CHARGERS (+150) are a tempting play at this price. Stick looked good last week against the Bills, throwing for 215 yards while running for another score.

Meanwhile, the Broncos (-178) cannot be trusted. They were dropped by the lowly Patriots, and now the journeyman Stidham gets the starting nod, as Payton has dropped all of the blame for this season at the feet of Wilson. That's not totally fair, and it's likely a distraction in the Mile High City. I think the Bolts avenge a loss 3 weeks ago with a nice road win.

Against the spread

The CHARGERS +3.5 (-110) are worth a play catching the 3 and a hook, if you want a little insurance can't bring yourself to play Los Angeles straight up.

L.A. is a respectable 3-3 ATS in 6 games on the road, although there is some concern. The Charger are a dismal 1-5 ATS in 6 games as the underdog.

However, again, the Broncos -3.5 (-110) lost to the Patriots, one of the worst teams in the league, when it mattered most. L.A. is working with the revenge factor, and it will relish in playing spoiler against its division rival.

Over/Under

OVER 36.5 (-114) is worth a look in the Mile High City.

We saw the Under cash in the 1st meeting in L.A., as the Chargers cobbled together just 7 points of offense. However, the Bolts have settled in with Stick, averaging 21.5 PPG in the past 2 games, cashing the Over in each outing.

We don't really know what we're going to get from Stidham, but the defense has shown itself lately. Denver's bad D is back, allowing 34.0 PPG in the past 2 games, cashing the Over in each of those games.

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