Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos Week 1 NFL Picks & Predictions 9/11/2017

Monday, September 11, 2017

Sports Authority Field

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

Sports Authority Field is the venue for the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos on Monday, September 11, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 44.5. The Broncos were 9-7-0 against the spread last year and their over/under mark was 7-9-0. The Chargers were 7-9-0 ATS and their over/under record was 9-6-1.

Valuable Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Chargers were 9-6-1 against the over/under last season

The Los Angeles Chargers were 7-9-0 against the spread last year

Important Denver Broncos Betting Trends

The Denver Broncos were 7-9-0 against the over/under last season

The Denver Broncos were 9-7-0 against the spread last year

Key Los Angeles Chargers Injuries

08/28/17 WR Mike Williams Back out indefinitely
08/28/17 DT Tenny Palepoi Suspension expected to start Monday vs. Denver
08/28/17 WR Tyrell Williams Groin "?" Monday vs. Denver
08/25/17 CB Jason Verrett Knee probable Monday vs. Denver
08/24/17 C Max Tuerk Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return 10/8 vs. NY Giants)
08/18/17 LB Jerry Attaochu Hamstring "?" Monday vs. Denver
08/14/17 LB Denzel Perryman Ankle expected to miss 4-6 weeks

Key Denver Broncos Injuries

08/28/17 TE Jake Butt Knee out indefinitely
08/28/17 QB Paxton Lynch Shoulder "?" Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/28/17 LB Shaquil Barrett Hip "?" Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/27/17 WR Demaryius Thomas Groin probable Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/21/17 QB Trevor Siemian None expected to start Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/18/17 DE Derek Wolfe Ankle probable Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/12/17 DL Billy Winn Knee out for season
07/30/17 RB Devontae Booker Wrist PUP
07/29/17 LB Shane Ray Wrist expected to miss 6-8 weeks

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Los Angeles Chargers ran for 1,510 yards as a unit last year, which ranked 26th in the league. They ran 398 times, averaging 3.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Chargers were penalized on offense 107 times for 780 yards last season, which had them 16th in the NFL in penalties. They were 9th in the National Football League in points scored with 410. They ran 1,014 plays last year for 5,708 yards, which ranked them 14th in the NFL in total offense. The Chargers averaged 5.6 yards per play, which was 14th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 340 1st downs last season, ranking them 10th overall as an offensive unit. Philip Rivers completed 349 throws while attempting 578 passes for a completion percentage of 60.4% last year. He passed for 4,386 yards. He averaged 12.6 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 87.9 and his QBR was 64.5.

Defensive Statistics

The Chargers rush defense gave up 410 attempts for 1,567 yards last season, putting them in 10th place in the NFL against the run. They had 119 penalties for 837 yards on defense last year. That placed them 6th in the league. They allowed a score on 39.8% of possessions on defense, which was 26th in the NFL. Los Angeles was 29th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 423. They gave up a total of 5,554 yards on D, which was 16th in the league. The Chargers were 12th in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense allowed 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 20th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 364 throws on 580 attempts against the Los Angeles Chargers defense last season, ranking them 16th and 18th in the league. The Los Angeles pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,987 yards in the air, which was 20th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Los Angeles Chargers tried 32 field goals last season and made 26, which was 20th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 81.3%. Los Angeles Chargers kickers made 91% of their extra points, going 42 for 46 last season. Their punters accumulated 2,732 yards on 59 punts, averaging 32 yards per punt. That ranked them 10th in the NFL in punting average. Los Angeles was 14th in the NFL in punt returns with 32 last year. They totaled 212 punt return yards and averaged 6.6 yards per return, which was 27th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 21 yards. They returned 28 kicks for 508 yards on special teams, placing them 27th in kick return yardage. The Chargers averaged 18.1 yards per kick return and had a long of 30 yards last season. They were 23rd in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,616.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Denver Broncos were 22nd in the NFL in points scored with 333 last season. They ran 1,020 plays last year for 5,169 yards, which ranked them 27th in the league in total offense. The Broncos averaged 5.1 yards per play, which was 27th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 290 1st downs last year, placing them 28th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Denver ran for 1,484 yards as a team, which ranked 27th in the NFL. They ran 410 times last year, averaging 3.6 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Broncos were penalized on offense 119 times for 985 yards last season, which had them 6th in the league in penalties. Trevor Siemian threw for 3,401 yards last season. He completed 289 passes on 486 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.5%. His QBR last year was 55.8 while is quarterback rating was 84.6. He averaged 7.0 yards per pass attempt and 11.8 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Denver was 4th in the league in points allowed on defense with 297 last year. They surrendered a total of 5,057 yards on D, which was 4th in the NFL. The Broncos were ranked 1st in yards per play allowed with 4.7. Their pass defense gave up 5 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 1st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 306 passes on 552 attempts against the Denver defense last season, placing them 2nd and 14th in the National Football League. The Denver Broncos pass defense also gave up a total of 2,972 yards through the air, which was 1st overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 482 attempts for 2,085 yards last year, putting them in 28th place in the league against the run. The Broncos committed 110 penalties for 990 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 26th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 29.4% of possessions on defense, which was 4th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Denver was ranked 10th in the league in punt returns last season with 37. They accumulated 316 punt return yards and averaged 8.5 yards per return, which was 15th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 25 yards. They returned 21 kicks for 481 yards on special teams, ranking 30th in kick return yardage. The Broncos averaged 22.9 yards per kick return and had a long of 46 yards last year. They were 30th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,195. The Denver Broncos attempted 34 field goals last season and made 29, which was 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 85.3%. Denver kickers made 97% of their extra points, going 32 for 33 last year. Their punters totaled 4,068 yards on 89 punts, averaging 37 yards per punt. That placed them 16th in the NFL in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Chargers/Broncos NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Broncos -3.5

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