There’s still a chance for the Los Angeles Chargers (+900 to win Super Bowl 53) to capture the AFC West title, as they share an identical 11-4 SU record with the Kansas City Chiefs entering Week 17. That means they have to win their rematch with the Denver Broncos on the road this coming Sunday. The Broncos, meanwhile, will look to end their season on a positive note.
The Chargers are headed to the playoffs, but they definitely would like to remove the bitter taste off their mouths brought about by their highly disappointing 22-10 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. In that game, quarterback Philip Rivers was grounded, as he finished with just 181 passing yards with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. That’s not unexpected at all, though, as Baltimore has the best pass defense in the league. Rivers should bounce back well this coming weekend in the rematch with Denver and its porous pass defense that he sliced for 401 passing yards and two touchdowns against a pair of interceptions on 28-of-53 completions, albeit in a 23-22 home loss back in Week 11. The Chargers’ defense should also have an easier time this time around, with the Broncos missing running back Phillip Lindsay.
The Chargers are 5-0 ATS in their last five road games.
Betting on the Denver Broncos (6-8)
The Broncos probably have a more awful taste in their mouths than what the Chargers have after Week 16 of the season. That’s because the Broncos have just lost the diamond they found in the rough, with Phillip Lindsay getting ruled out for Week 17 with a serious hand injury he sustained in last week’s 27-14 road loss to the Oakland Raiders. It’s a shame, considering that Lindsay has done so well this season as an undrafted rookie that he managed to get an invite to the Pro Bowl. With Lindsay out, the Broncos will turn to the pair of Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker will share backfield duties against the Chargers. Also, that would mean more work in the offense for Denver’s air attack. Quarterback Case Keenum went 19-of-32 for 205 yards and zero touchdowns in the first meeting with the Chargers, while wide receiver Courtland Sutton paced the team with 78 receiving yards on three catches.
