Denver Broncos (7-8) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)
January 2, 2022 4:05 pm EDT
The Line: Los Angeles Chargers -5.5 / Denver Broncos +5.5; Over/Under: 45
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos clash Sunday afternoon in a week 17 NFL West showdown at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The Denver Broncos need a win here to get back to a .500 record. The Los Angeles Chargers look for a win after splitting their last 14 games.
The Denver Broncos have lost four of their last five road games. Drew Lock is completing 59.7 percent of his passes for 380 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick have combined for 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Noah Fant has 61 receptions. The Denver Broncos ground game is averaging 116.7 yards per contest, and Javonte Williams leads the way with 827 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Denver is allowing 17.3 points and 320.9 yards per game. Kareem Jackson leads the Denver Broncos with 80 tackles, Dre’Mont Jones has 5.5 sacks and Justin Simmons has 5 interceptions.
The Los Angeles Chargers have split their last eight home games. Justin Herbert is completing 67.1 percent of his passes for 4,394 yards, 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Mike Williams and Keenan Allen have combined for 2,006 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while Austin Ekeler has 62 receptions. The Los Angeles Chargers ground game is averaging 109.7 yards per contest, and Ekeler leads the way with 789 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 27.4 points and 363.8 yards per game. Kyzir White leads the Los Angeles Chargers with 126 tackles, Joey Bosa has 9.5 sacks and Asante Samuel Jr. has 2 interceptions.
The Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games in January. The Chargers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games in January and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 37-18-1 in Broncos last 56 games overall. The over is 4-0 in Chargers last 4 games overall. The Broncos are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Los Angeles and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
The Denver Broncos have the defense to grind out a game like this on the road, but their offense has stalled as of late, and things won’t get any better if Lock remains the quarterback. The Los Angeles Chargers have run hot and cold all season and their defense isn’t good, but one thing is, you know they’re going to put up points. The Chargers are fourth in total offense and eighth in scoring offense. I question if the Broncos can match those points. The home team has won seven of the last 10 meetings between these clubs and is 6-3-1 against the spread during that span. I’ll take the Chargers by a touchdown.
