Los Angeles Chargers v Denver Broncos: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos are both in the thick of the battle for AFC wildcard berths, even though they can no longer win the AFC West title.

A road win for the 9-5 Broncos would go close to sewing up second place in the division with only two games to play after this week.

However, the 8-6 Chargers would move ahead of their rivals in the standings if they are successful as they would have the head-to-head tiebreaker, having won the teams' first meeting in Denver in Week 6.

The Chargers have had a much-improved first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh, but have hit a rough patch with three losses in their last four games and have questions to answer.

The Broncos are on a four-game winning streak and have made a habit of coming good in the second half after slow starts.

The Chargers won 23-16 when the teams met in October, but they can no longer call on running back JK Dobbins, who had 96 rushing yards and a touchdown in that game but who is now on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

The LA team raced into a 23-0 lead in that game, when the Broncos lost their star cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a concussion after only one play and scored all of their points in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers are favourites this time for what should be a hard-fought contest.

Los Angeles Chargers v Denver Broncos prop bets - tips and predictions

Courtland Sutton over 62.5 receiving yards @ 10/11

The receiving yards line for the Broncos' leading wide receiver, Courtland Sutton, is right around his average for the season of 62.7 yards per game, but he should be able to exploit a depleted Chargers secondary on Thursday night.

Sutton has had a couple of quiet games this year, such as when not even being targeted in the October win over the New Orleans Saints, but he had at least 70 receiving yards in six successive games after that, until managing only 32 against the Colts on Sunday, although he did have the compensation of a touchdown. 

The tall wideout has been targeted at least eight times in each outing since his blank night in New Orleans and posted back-to-back games with 97 and 102 receiving yards against the Raiders and Browns in Weeks 12 and 13.

The Chargers will potentially be missing two members of their secondary, with cornerback Cam Hart ruled out and safety Elijah Molden rated doubtful to play, so their depth will be tested.

Quentin Johnston longest reception over 18.5 yards @ 10/11

Quentin Johnston has had a rollercoaster ride in his first two NFL seasons, but his star is generally in the ascendancy now.

The Chargers' first-round pick in 2023 has scored eight touchdowns already this year compared to just two in his rookie season and, while his production has been inconsistent, he remains a threat to make a big play each time he takes to the field.

Johnston had a nightmare outing against the Ravens in Week 12, failing to catch any of the five passes that came his way, but he has regained the trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and been targeted 17 times in his last two games.

After scoring touchdowns against both the Chiefs and Buccaneers, he should be full of confidence and can be fancied to have a reception of at least 19 yards against the Broncos.

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Los Angeles Chargers v Denver Broncos money line, spread, over/under

	Money Line	Spread	Over/Under
Chargers	4/6	-2.5 - 5/6	Over 41.5 - 10/11
Broncos	5/4	+2.5 - 1/1	Under 41.5 - 10/11

Broncos +2.5 @ 1/1

The Broncos will have revenge on their minds after losing at home to the Chargers and they have an excellent chance of turning the tables on the road.

Road teams are just 5-9 on Thursday nights this season, but the Broncos showed they can adapt to travelling on a short week when they beat the Saints in Week 7.

Sean Payton's team have impressed in their recent four-game winning streak, covering the handicap in each of those games and also as an underdog in their narrow loss to the Chiefs before it.

The Chargers have looked a solid outfit for much of the year and also covered against the Chiefs in their narrow Week 14 loss.

However, their 40-17 home defeat by the Buccaneers on Sunday was their worst performance of the season by a distance and they have not had much time to put things right.

Taking the Broncos as underdogs on the handicap looks the more reliable play.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.