NFL Football Betting: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

By BetOnline October 3, 2019

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The Denver Broncos are still searching for their first win of the season but the oddsmakers don’t expect them to get it this week. They’re a touchdown underdog to the Los Angeles Chargers but given the amount of injuries the Chargers are dealing with, the Broncos might be able to pull a surprise.

DENVER BRONCOS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
NFL ODDS: CHARGERS -6.5
NFL TOTAL: 44.5

WHY THE BRONCOS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Broncos are losing games left and right, but they aren’t losing games by large margins. They lost by one score in three of their first four games, and their only loss by more than one score was a modest 11-point loss to the Green Bay Packers on the road. That was basically a one-score game throughout.

Denver has not been blown out in any game and while the defense isn’t the elite unit it was in the past, it has not allowed more than 27 points in any game. The Broncos have lost in the final minute in two of their four games and theoretically, could be 2-2. If that’s the case, this betting line would be much closer to Chargers -3 than Chargers -7.

The Chargers just have so many injuries that we’re not even sure who’ll be out there on Sunday. We know that All-Pro safety Derwin James is out as well as his backup, Adrian Phillips. Left tackle Russell Okung is also out as is tight end Hunter Henry. One of the team’s best pass rushers, Melvin Ingram, will also miss this game. That’s just the beginning, though, as the Chargers could be without several other important pieces. The Broncos are capable of beating this team outright if the Chargers are forced to play that many backups.

WHY THE CHARGERS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

Even though the Chargers have been inconsistent, they have so much room for growth, primarily because Melvin Gordon did not play this past weekend against the Miami Dolphins. The Chargers made a smart decision by not rushing Gordon back into action last week against the Miami Dolphins when they clearly didn’t need him. Now they need him – especially with the amount of injuries they’ve had.

While Gordon will be a big help, the offense shouldn’t have too many problems moving the ball against a beleaguered defense. The Broncos had no sacks or takeaways in the first three games of the season. That changed in Week 4 but they also lost one-half of their elite pass-rushing doing as Bradley Chubb is now out for the year. If Philip Rivers has time to operate, he’s going to make good plays with the ball.

The Chargers two losses were basically last-second shortcomings to Detroit and Houston – two teams who have spent the early part of the season atop their divisions. The Broncos are not in that same class.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE TOTAL

I’m looking at an over in this game. Neither team gets much pressure on the quarterback. While many people want to rip on Joe Flacco, he’s been an upgrade at the position for Denver compared to what they’ve had in the past. As for the Chargers, they still have enough weapons on offense to put up points.

I see this as a shootout and I wouldn’t be surprised if Denver comes out on top.