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The Denver Broncos are riding high, aiming for their fifth consecutive win. Currently holding the 2nd wildcard spot in the AFC playoff race, the Broncos have gone 6-2 in their last eight games. They recently secured a 41-32 victory over the Browns and followed it up with a commanding 31-13 home win against the Colts. Denver entered that matchup as 4.5-point favorites and comfortably covered the spread, extending their streak of covering the spread to five straight games.
The Los Angeles Chargers are aiming for their ninth win of the season. Currently occupying an AFC wildcard spot, the Chargers trail the Broncos by just one game, making this matchup crucial for their playoff hopes. Los Angeles suffered a narrow road loss to the Chiefs two weeks ago, followed by a disappointing 40-17 home defeat to the Buccaneers last Sunday as three-point favorites. Despite recent struggles, the Chargers have covered the spread in three of their last five games.
Quarterback Bo Nix has been efficient, though not flashy, this season. The 24-year-old signal-caller has thrown for 260 or more yards in four games but managed just 133 yards last week. For the season, Nix has amassed 2,972 passing yards with a 20:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while also contributing 327 rushing yards.
On the ground, Javonte Williams has seen a dip in production recently. The 24-year-old running back has accumulated 461 rushing yards this season. Backup Jaleel McLaughlin added 21 rushing yards before leaving last week’s game with a quad injury, bringing his season total to 388 yards. While McLaughlin returned to practice on Tuesday, his status remains questionable for the next game.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been a key playmaker for the Broncos. The 29-year-old has posted 78 or more receiving yards in four of his last six outings and has totaled 878 yards on the season. The Broncos' offense is firing on all cylinders, scoring 29 or more points in four straight contests. They are averaging 311 total yards per game during this run.
Defensively, the Broncos have been one of the league's top units. They’ve allowed 19 points or fewer in four of their last five games, including a stifling 6-point performance against the Falcons. The lone outlier in that stretch was a 32-point showing by the Browns. Last week, Denver's defense held the Colts to just 319 total yards. The unit ranks 16th against the pass but boasts the fifth-best run defense in the league.
On the season, Denver is averaging 24 points per game, ranking 11th in the league. Their defense is holding opponents to just 17.6 points per game, the second-best mark in the NFL. With both sides of the ball performing at a high level, the Broncos are firmly in the playoff picture and looking to build on their momentum.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has been steady but not spectacular of late. The 26-year-old has thrown for 218 or fewer yards in four of his last five games, including a 195-yard effort last week. On the season, Herbert has totaled 2,959 passing yards with a stellar 16:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While he’s dealing with an ankle injury, he is expected to suit up for this week’s contest.
The Chargers' ground game has been serviceable but limited. With J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve, Gus Edwards has taken on the lead role. The 29-year-old running back has eclipsed 50 rushing yards twice this season, collecting 298 yards overall. Through the air, wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been a standout, topping 80 receiving yards in three of his last four games and racking up 874 yards on the year. However, the Los Angeles offense has struggled to put points on the board, scoring 23 or fewer points in four of its last five games while averaging 310 total yards per contest.
Defensively, the Chargers have been elite for much of the season. They’ve held opponents to 19 points or fewer in four of their last six outings, including a strong effort against the Chiefs, limiting them to 19 points. However, their defense faltered last week, giving up a season-high 506 yards to the Buccaneers. The pass defense ranks 10th in the NFL, while their run defense sits at 19th.
On the season, Los Angeles is averaging 21 points per game, placing them 20th in scoring offense. Defensively, they are holding opponents to just 17.6 points per game, ranking third in the league. As the playoff race tightens, the Chargers will look to bounce back and close the gap on the Broncos.
With Rithmm’s AI Picks model you are able to dive deep into just about any trend you can think of, below is just a snap shot of what I pulled for todays game.
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The Chargers head into this pivotal divisional clash against the Broncos as three-point favorites, with both teams coming off turbulent performances. Meanwhile, the Chargers were outgained by more than 300 yards in a lopsided loss to the Buccaneers, with their defense struggling throughout the contest.
With playoff implications on the line, expect a strong response from the Chargers' defense, which currently ranks 10th in the league, allowing just 211 passing yards per game. They’ve also been one of the stingiest units in the NFL, surrendering only 17.6 points per game — the best mark in the league. This game presents a prime opportunity for Los Angeles to regain form, and they’re well-positioned to bounce back, secure the win, and cover the spread.
Selection: Chargers ML -140
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