Denver ends the Chargers’ last playoff dreams?

The fact that December football is always something special probably needs no extra mention at the outset. The first game day in the last month of the year – last week – already demonstrated this impressively. There were surprises, statement wins, blow-out victories and tears.

No less important – in terms of the playoffs – is the 14th matchday next weekend. We are surprised by the odds distribution in the run-up to the game, which will take place at SoFi Stadium in the “City of Angels”, when comparing the various betting apps. That’s because the Los Angeles Chargers are hosting the Denver Broncos there – and as favorites! A bet on the visitors will definitely add value to the betting slip

The Chargers stopped their losing streak of three consecutive defeats and celebrated their fifth win of the season with a 6-0 win over the Patriots. However, Brandon Staley’s team’s playoff chances are now in the single digits and could only be increased with a win against their division rivals on Sunday.

Denver, on the other hand, suffered their first loss last week after five straight victories, but are still in second place in the division and one win ahead of their upcoming opponent. With a 6-6 record, the Colorado franchise would also not currently qualify for the postseason, which is another reason why the game – within the AFC West – has enormous significance.

Also because the two teams will duel again on matchday 17. Who has the better starting position will be decided in the game on Sunday at 10:25 pm. You’ve probably already figured out that we find the underdog betting odds in the Chargers vs. Broncos game quite exciting

Los Angeles Chargers – Statistics & current form

When searching for disappointments in the current NFL season, the Chargers’ name comes up relatively regularly. With quarterback Justin Herbert, the team was seen as a contender before the season, but the reality is quite different. This is another reason why there are increasing rumors that Brandon Staley’s time in Los Angeles is coming to an end

Offensive realignment failed?

In order to improve the offensive output this season, Kellen Moore was hired from the Dallas Cowboys as the new offensive coordinator before the season. Unfortunately, the desired improvement did not materialize and the statistics look very similar to the previous season. The offensive unit is simply too dependent on the performance of the young playmaker, as the rushing game continues to be almost non-existent. Against New England, LA totaled 29 rushing yards and a meager 1.2 yards per run attempt! Add to that injuries to key playmakers, which unfortunately are a constant issue for the Chargers, and the offense quickly becomes piecemeal.

Although the offense puts 22.9 points on the scoreboard per game and has also increased its redzone efficiency by almost ten percent compared to last year, it is still difficult to move the ball consistently. Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, for example, are missing two of the most important starting centers. As in previous years, the difference-makers are once again Austin Ekeler in the running game and Keenan Allen in the passing game. The two have contributed twelve of the 30 offensive touchdowns so far, so it is not a particularly bold prediction that the Chargers and Broncos could become the absolute matchup factor in this game as well.

Defensively, only three teams allow more yards per game to their opponents, but 21.5 points allowed is at least a solid figure. After the break in week five, however, this defense also conceded at least 20 points in five of eight games. The visitors will attack the rushing defense in particular. The loss of superstar Joey Bosa continues to hurt the opposing team’s passing defense.

Key Players:

• QB: Justin Herbert
• RB: Austin Ekeler
• WR: Keenan Allen
• TE: Gerald Everett
• K: Cameron Dicker

Denver Broncos – stats & current form

Because the team from Denver has now found the basis offensively that has eluded them for so long. In Javonte Williams, they have a reliable running back who sometimes shoulders over 20 running attempts per match. However – and this is quite surprising – he has yet to score a single rushing touchdown. We therefore advise you not to ignore this tip between the Chargers and Broncos. If you are looking for a good provider for NFL player betting, we would like to warmly recommend bookie bet-at-home.

The offense is finally working

But the offense has also taken a big step forward in the passing game recently. Russell Wilson is now implementing head coach Sean Payton’s gameplan, playing solidly within the offensive structure and acting primarily as a game manager. This development has been steadily evident during the five-game winning streak. Against the Texans last week, however, he had three interceptions and the last intercepted pass was the first loss since mid-October.

If one receiver is a constant in Denver, it is clearly Courtland Sutton. He has 637 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. No other pass receiver on the Broncos’ roster has contributed six points more than three times. However, the 28-year-old Sutton is still waiting for his first 100-yard receiving game this season.

The defense was one of the laughingstocks of the league, especially after the 70 points it allowed against the Dolphins. But this unit has also steadily improved. Over the season as a whole, this personnel group still allows the second most yards and – at 25.2 – the fourth most points to opponents, but the statistics are distorted by the first few weak games. Over the last three games, for example, the Colorado franchise has conceded an average of just 18 points.

Key Players:

• QB: Russell Wilson
• RB: Javonte Williams
• WR: Courtland Sutton
• TE: Adam Trautman
• K: Wil Lutz

Los Angeles Chargers – Denver Broncos head-to-head / H2H record

Division duels usually offer plenty of matches in the recent past to refer to. This is also the case with already 127 direct duels between the Chargers and Broncos. A prediction that the visitors will extend their record, which at 71-55-1 is clearly in their favor, is by no means out of the question.

In the last meeting, in January 2023, the three-time Super Bowl champions also won 31-28 on the final day of the previous season. However, Los Angeles then went on to the play-offs, while Denver went into the off-season and did everything in its power to bag the Sean Payton deal. Some eleven months later, he is now traveling to the “City of Angels” with his team as head coach.

While Justin Herbert has won three out of six meetings with the division rivals, Russell Wilson does not have particularly fond memories of the franchise from California with just one win – the one described in January – in four attempts.

Los Angeles Chargers – Denver Broncos betting tip

We fear for the hosts that Denver is a really bad matchup, as they have proven in recent weeks that their offense is very balanced. They have played patiently on a regular basis recently and sometimes changed their offensive alignment during a game. We do not expect the LA defense to perform as well as it did against the Patriots in the Chargers vs. The odds that the visitors will score at least 20 points should therefore definitely be taken into account.

In addition, we believe that the visitors – despite the slip-up on the previous matchday – will win at SoFi Stadium. The LA offense has rarely convinced us recently, although Herbert played very well at times. Of course, the aforementioned injuries also play a role there. It is therefore a very realistic scenario that the home side will not be able to keep up with the 20+ points scored by the visitors. Odds of 2.23 are available on the markets for an away win between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.

If you want upside, try betting on a touchdown from running back Javonte Williams. Alternatively, you can also bet on a successful end zone visit by Courtland Sutton.