The Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) and Denver Broncos (13-3) will face off in NFL Week 18 on Sunday, Jan. 4. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on CBS.
The Broncos are favored by -14 on the spread, with the over/under set at 37.5 total points. The Broncos are -1200 favorites to win outright, while the Chargers are +800 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Chargers vs Broncos prediction for today's AFC West battle. Below, you can also find the latest NFL odds, betting trends, inactives for both teams, weather forecast and more.
Chargers vs Broncos Predictions, Picks
- Chargers vs Broncos pick: Broncos 1H -7 (-110) | Play to -7.5
My Chargers vs Broncos best bet is the Broncos to cover the first half spread. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Chargers vs Broncos Odds
| Chargers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 37.5 -110o / -110u | +800 |
| Broncos Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 37.5 -110o / -110u | -1200 |
Chargers vs Broncos Preview
The Chargers have chosen to sit their starters with not much room for improvement in their playoff seeding. This will be most impactful on the offensive end, where there is a sizable drop-off from Justin Herbert to Trey Lance.
Lance brings as much, if not more, mobility than Herbert does, and he will need it. The Broncos lead the NFL in sack rate; meanwhile, the Chargers' offensive line has been hampered by injuries and sits at 29th in sack rate allowed.
The pressure will only amplify the rough matchup for Lance and company. Denver is second in opponent completion percentage and yards per pass allowed. This would be a tough matchup for Herbert, but it is an extremely tall task for Lance.
The last time we saw Lance start was Week 18 for Dallas, where he completed 58.8 percent of his passes and rushed for 26 yards against a Commanders team that rested many of their starters.
With Lance under center, the offensive line struggles, and little help from skill positions, the outlook for the Chargers' offense in this matchup is as low as it gets.
The Broncos were the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the NFL, yet they still have something to play for in Week 18. Getting the top seed is a crucial advantage after a grueling season, and Denver can secure that with a win as it holds the tiebreaker over the New England Patriots.
With the Broncos and Patriots playing at the same time, there will be scoreboard watching, but likely not until the second half. We already went over how significantly different the Chargers offense will look, but it's very likely that defensive starters will be absent, too.
Denver should come out early and test an unmotivated Chargers defense, especially if they want the opportunity to pull their starters in the second half of this matchup.
Chargers vs Broncos Predictions, Betting Analysis
The gap between a motivated Broncos team and a Chargers squad with an eye towards the postseason will be evident early. Los Angeles will have very little production on offense, while the Broncos will throw their best shots early.
Back the Broncos to be cruising in this one by halftime.
Pick: Broncos 1H -7 (-110)
Chargers vs Broncos Betting Trends
Chargers vs Broncos Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. |
| Date: | Sunday, Jan. 4 |
| Time: | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | CBS |
Chargers vs Broncos Injuries, Inactives
Chargers Inactives
- DB Elijah Molden
- S Derwin James Jr.
- RB Omarion Hampton
- QB Justin Herbert
- OLB Tuli Tuipulotu
- OL Jamaree Salyer
- C Bradley Bozeman
Broncos Inactives
- LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring)
- DL John Franklin-Myers
- CB Reese Taylor
- OLB Que Robinson
- TE Marcedes Lewis
- T Geron Christian
