On a season-best four-game profitable streak, the Denver Broncos enter a battle for playoff seeding holding the higher hand once they face the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday evening in Inglewood, Calif.
The Broncos (9-5) final reached the playoffs in 2015, once they received the Tremendous Bowl behind quarterback Peyton Manning. Rookie QB Bo Nix has introduced hopes of a brighter future, guiding Denver from a middling 5-5 begin to the cusp of a double-digit wins for the primary time for the reason that Manning days.
There may be even an outdoor probability the Broncos might clinch a playoff spot this week. If Denver wins or ties on Thursday, and the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts observe with losses or ties over the weekend, the Broncos could be playoff sure.
Denver at present holds the No. 6 playoff seed within the AFC, whereas the Chargers (8-6) have dropped to No. 7.
The No. 7 seed could possibly be going through a wild-card spherical matchup towards the Buffalo Payments, whereas the No. 6 seed possible will meet the champion of the AFC North, the place the Pittsburgh Steelers maintain a one-game lead on the Baltimore Ravens.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Chargers are a consensus 2.5-point favourite at residence. The road opened at 3.0 at BetMGM, the place the spread-line cash has been evenly cut up whereas the Broncos have a slight edge with 51 p.c of the overall bets backing them.
The moneyline motion has been attention-grabbing. Whereas the Broncos have been backed by 75 p.c of the overall bets at +120, it is the Chargers who’ve drawn 56 p.c of the cash at -145.
The full factors line has shifted down from 42.5 to 41.5, with the Over closely supported with 63 p.c of the bets and 72 p.c of the cash.
PROP PICKS
–Bo Nix Over 20.5 Dashing Yards (-115 at DraftKings): Whereas Nix is cellular, he’s not a dual-threat quarterback within the conventional sense of the time period. He did rush for 23 yards final week after not scrambling for greater than 5 in any of the earlier 4 video games. Nonetheless, he did rack up 61 yards on the bottom within the first assembly, contributing to this being the preferred prop guess on the e-book for this sport.
–Kimani Vidal Over 1.5 Receptions (-175 at BetMGM): Bettors are banking on Vidal’s elevated involvement within the passing sport, making this the second most bet-on prop on the e-book. That “elevated involvement” entails final week particularly, when Very important caught two of three targets for a mere 13 yards. However with Gus Edwards’ spotty manufacturing, Vidal was in on a season-high 67 p.c of the offensive snaps final Sunday.
THE NEWS
Whereas Nix threw three landing passes in a 31-13 residence victory over the Colts on Sunday, he additionally had a career-high three interceptions.
“I assumed I noticed the sport nicely, (however) I’ve to maintain from turning the ball over,” Nix stated.
Nix and the Broncos might have long-established a four-game profitable streak earlier this season, however the Chargers got here into Denver and earned a 23-16 victory in Week 6.
Nix threw two fourth-quarter landing passes in that sport and wound up with 216 yards within the air. Even so, he misplaced the duel towards Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who threw for a landing and had 237 yards passing.
On Sunday towards the Colts, Nix had simply 130 passing yards, however Denver cashed in one other sturdy defensive efficiency by placing up 24 second-half factors, together with 21 within the fourth quarter.
“Later in that sport, after we wanted it, man, there is a maturity and a moxie about him, which I really like,” Broncos coach Sean Payton stated of Nix. “I feel it is contagious to the staff. When you have got that on the quarterback place, your staff is aware of that you simply’re in each sport.”
If there was a second when the Broncos gained their footing this season, it might need been within the second half towards the Chargers. Trailing 23-0, Denver scored 16 fourth-quarter factors whereas blanking Los Angeles to cost again and make it a sport.
Since then, the Broncos have gone 6-2 to bypass the Chargers within the AFC West.
The Chargers have misplaced consecutive video games and three of the previous 4 after falling 40-17 at residence to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Extra than simply the Los Angeles protection struggled, with the offense gaining solely 32 dashing yards and Herbert throwing an interception for the primary time in 12 video games.
Not solely did the Chargers hand over probably the most factors they’ve allowed this season, however additionally they yielded a season-high 506 yards, together with a season-high 223 yards on the bottom.
The Chargers nonetheless have a two-game lead on their closest wild-card pursuer with three video games to play, so their scenario will not be dire. In addition they would clinch a playoff spot below a virtually equivalent state of affairs to the Broncos, with video games nonetheless remaining towards the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, who’ve 5 mixed wins.
INJURY REPORT
Herbert (sprained ankle) was restricted at apply Tuesday however is anticipated to play. Los Angeles tight finish Will Dissly (shoulder), guard Zion Johnson (ankle), defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis) and defensive backs Cam Hart (concussion) and Elijah Molden (knee) didn’t apply on Tuesday.
The one Broncos participant to overlook apply on Tuesday was defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (foot).
THEY SAID IT
“It is simply as much as us as an offense and us as a staff to exit and execute and play the best way we have to. Clearly, they’re all essential video games in December and January. That is the place we wish to be.” –Herbert
PREDICTION
Whereas each groups are in wonderful place to succeed in the playoffs, there may be lots on the road Thursday evening by way of seeding and potential playoff opponents. If Nix can keep away from a number of turnovers, the Broncos are trending in the correct path and Denver’s sturdy protection will likely be taking purpose at a gimpy Herbert. –Broncos 26, Chargers 23
–Subject Degree Media