The NFL’s Week 16 schedule begins with an exciting showdown between AFC West rivals vying for conference playoff spots. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6, 9-5 ATS) take on the Denver Broncos (9-5, 11-3 ATS) in a game that has significant playoff ramifications.
The Chargers are coming off a losing streak, dropping to the seventh spot in the AFC after losing three of their previous four games. The Chargers are by no means guaranteed a spot in the postseason, even if they are two games ahead of the remaining clubs in the race. An otherwise strong season for the Bolts has been cut short by a recent wave of injuries.The NFL’s Week 16 schedule begins with an exciting showdown between AFC West rivals vying for conference playoff spots. In a game with major postseason ramifications, the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6, 9-5 ATS) take on the Denver Broncos (9-5, 11-3 ATS) at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
After losing three of their previous four games and falling to the seventh seed in the AFC, the Chargers come into the game on a losing run. The Chargers are by no means guaranteed a spot in the postseason, even if they are two games ahead of the remaining clubs in the race. An otherwise strong season for the Bolts has been marred by a recent wave of injuries.
But the Broncos, who have benefited from a fortuitous stretch in their schedule, come into the game riding high on a four-game winning streak. During this run, Denver beat inferior teams and now aims to exact revenge for a previous loss to the Chargers, where the team’s ferocious fourth-quarter rally was short. A win for the Broncos would keep them in contention for the AFC s 5-seed, a spot that would allow the young team to avoid the conference heavyweights until the Divisional Round.
The best bookmakers in Pennsylvania have Los Angeles as a small favorite going into this match, probably because of their home-field advantage. While some bettors may be interested in the 2.5-point line, there are a number of other options in this game. Here s a look at some of the best prop bets available for this Thursday Night Football showdown.
1. Bo Nix over 0.5 INTs (-136)
Where:BetRivers Sportsbook
Why: Bo Nix has played very well at quarterback for the Denver Broncos this season. The rookie has led the team on a surprising run that has positioned them for a postseason push. The Broncos have missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. With their win last week, the Broncos clinched their first winning season since 2016.
Much of that success can be attributed to the solid play of their rookie signal caller. However, Nix seems to have returned to his turnover-prone ways over the last few weeks. He enters this matchup having thrown five interceptions in his last two games. The Broncos have won despite these errors, but after a stretch of three straight weeks without an interception, Nix has struggled.
Nix currently has 11 interceptions this season, tied for the sixth-most in the league. He faces a Chargers defense that has intercepted 14 passes so far, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. LA enters the game averaging 1.1 interceptions per game over the last seven weeks.
Nix threw one interception against the Chargers in Week 6, facing a defense that has a 3.0 percent interception rate for the year, which is tied for the fourth-best in the league.
Bet it now:Bo Nix over 0.5 INTs (-136)
2. Chargers: First Team to 10 Points (-134)
Where:FanDuel Sportsbook
Why: The Broncos boast the league s top scoring defense, allowing just 17.6 points per game this season. While Denver s defensive unit has been the team s biggest strength so far, they ve performed much better in the second half than in the first half. The Broncos have allowed each of their last three opponents to reach the 10-point threshold first.
The Chargers have struggled on offense lately, particularly after the loss of J.K. Dobbins to injury, but the return of Ladd McConkey has improved the unit s outlook heading into this game. Los Angeles scored the first 23 points in its previous matchup against the Broncos back in Week 6. LA has been the first to 10 points in five of its last eight games and in four of its last five home games.
This game features two solid defenses facing struggling offenses, with the Chargers scoring 17 points or less in three consecutive weeks. With the total for this contest set at 42.5, points will be at a premium. In their first matchup this season, these teams combined to score 40 points.
The Broncos have allowed opposing teams to reach 10 points first in four of their last six games.
Bet it now:Chargers: First Team to 10 Points (-134)
3. Gus Edwards over 34.5 rushing yards (-110)
Where:Bet365 Sportsbook
Why: Gus Edwards assumed the primary running back role for the Chargers following J.K. Dobbins placement on injured reserve. While the Chargers have struggled to consistently run the ball since losing Dobbins, the 34.5-yard line could be within Edwards reach due to a renewed focus on the ground game.
Since taking over as the starter in LA, Edwards has averaged just 30.3 rushing yards per game, but some of that low figure can be attributed to the game script. The Chargers fell behind by double digits in each of their last two games, necessitating a pass-heavy approach that limited Edwards touches.
While the Broncos boast one of the league s best run defenses, allowing just 98.6 rushing yards per game (fifth-fewest), they have permitted opposing running backs to exceed a rushing yards prop line of 34.5 yards in nine of their last ten games. In the earlier matchup with LA this season, the Broncos allowed Dobbins to rush for 96 yards on 25 carries.
In games where he received at least 10 carries, Edwards exceeded 34.5 rushing yards in three of four contests.
Bet it now:Gus Edwards over 34.5 rushing yards (-110)
4. Justin Herbert over 0.5 interceptions (+110)
Where:DraftKings Sportsbook
Why: Justin Herbert has played relatively clean football in his first season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. He has been one of the best quarterbacks at protecting the ball this season, having thrown just two interceptions over 208 pass attempts.
One of those interceptions came last week when LA s deficit against the Buccaneers forced the team to air it out more than they have for most of this season. A gimpy ankle didn t help Herbert s mobility, which could be something the Broncos focus on. LA s struggles on the ground may also require more from Herbert in this game.
Denver s defense has been one of the best ball-hawking units in the league this season. The Broncos boast 14 interceptions, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Their 2.8 percent interception rate ranks eighth, and they have plenty of experience against Herbert.
Herbert has thrown six interceptions in eight career games against the Broncos, including one interception in two of his last three home games against Denver.
Bet it now:Justin Herbert over 0.5 interceptions (+110)
Bo Nix over 1.5 passing TDs (+110)
Where:BetRIvers Sportsbook
Why: Bo Nix has been one of the most impressive rookies this season, certainly one of the most effective. The first-year signal-caller has helped the Broncos position themselves for a playoff run, and much of that is thanks to his decision-making and development. While Nix started slow this season, he s been one of the best quarterbacks in the league over the last several weeks.
Prop bettors atPennsylvania s top sportsbooksneed to look no further than Nix s recent performances hitting the over in passing props. Nix enters this pivotal Week 16 matchup with Los Angeles having thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of his last five games. Denver s struggles on the ground have necessitated a shift in game plan.
During the team s last four games, Nix has chucked the ball an average of 36 times. That increase in pass attempts also increases the likelihood that Nix takes multiple shots in the end zone. The Chargers have allowed 19 passing touchdowns, tied for 18th-most this season. LA s allowed seven of those pass TDs to come over the last four weeks, tied for the third-most over that span.
Los Angeles defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to go over 1.5 passing touchdowns in four of its last six games.
Bet it now:Bo Nix over 1.5 passing TDs (+110)
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