Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Prediction, 1/8/2023 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos

Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023

Location: Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Broncos (-2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 40

Empower Field at Mile High is the site where the Denver Broncos (4-12) will try to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) on Sunday. Los Angeles opens this contest as 2.5-point dogs. The total is 40.

The Los Angeles Chargers come into this matchup with a record of 10-6 for this year. The last time they stepped on the football field, the Chargers took on the Rams and earned the victory with a final of 31-10. Justin Herbert finished 21/28 with 212 yds through the air and 2 touchdowns. He had a QB rating of 119.9 and finished the contest without throwing a pick. Mike Williams had an average of 13.4 yds per reception by accumulating 94 yds on 7 catches. Austin Ekeler led the offense in rushing for the Chargers with 10 totes for 122 yds (12.2 yards per carry). For the game, they tallied 62 plays which gave them a total of 431 yds. The Los Angeles Chargers rushed the ball a total of 31 different times and tallied 192 yards, which is an average of 6.2 yds per attempt. In the running game, the Chargers gave up 166 yds on 26 attempts, which calculates to 6.4 yds per rush surrendered. Los Angeles surrendered 11 pass completions on 19 tries for 111 yds, and a completion percentage of 57.9%.

Concerning getting in the endzone, the Los Angeles Chargers have an average of 22.7 points per contest. As a team they're holding an average of 91.6 yards via the ground game which ranks them 30th in the NFL. The Chargers have earned 5,756 yards in total for the season. Los Angeles has tallied 215 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 76 infractions for 601 yards. They have turned the football over 17 different times (10 interceptions and 7 fumbles). With reference to getting in the endzone, Los Angeles has earned 23 touchdowns through the air and 15 rushing touchdowns.

The Chargers sit in 18th in the league concerning their opponents scoring, allowing 22.1 points per contest. They are giving up an average of 5.4 yards per rush and 142.1 rushing yards per game over the course of this season. Overall, they have allowed 2,273 yards on the ground through 16 outings. When it comes to yards via the pass, the Chargers have conceded 3,140 yards which ranks them 6th in the National Football League. They have yielded 196.3 yards per game via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 61.7%. For the season, they are surrendering 338.3 yards per game ranking them 19th in football. They have allowed 21 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 16 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Broncos come into this game with a record of 4-12 this season. In their last game, the Broncos took a defeat with a final score of 27-24 when they played the Chiefs. Russell Wilson (1 TD) ended the contest with 222 yds on 26/38 passing while his QB rating was 81.3. He threw 1 interception and his avg yards per attempt was 5.8 yds. Albert Okwuegbunam was the leading receiver for the Broncos, snagging 3 passes for 45 yds (15.0 yards per catch). Latavius Murray ran the football 12 times for 56 yards, ending the contest with 4.7 yds per attempt for Denver. The Broncos finished the game with a total of 307 yds and they ran 66 plays (4.7 yds per play). Denver ended up running for 4.9 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 117 yds on 24 carries. Denver allowed 16 run attempts for 46 yds (2.9 yards per rush). The Broncos pass defense conceded a completion rate of 69.0%, relinquishing 328 yds on 29 for 42 through the air.

The Denver Broncos maintain an average of 316.0 yards per contest which has them ranked 24th in the NFL. They have an average of 108.1 rushing yards per game and have run for 1,730 yards overall. The Denver offense has accrued 934 penalty yds on 110 infractions, which is good for 2nd in football in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 14 interceptions while losing 8 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 158 1st downs. During the season to this point, the Broncos have thrown for 3,326 yards via the pass not to mention holding an average of 207.9 throwing yards per contest, which has them ranked 19th in football. Regarding their ability to score points, the Broncos currently rank 32nd out of all teams in football by scoring 16.0 points per game.

The Broncos are relinquishing 20.7 points per contest, which has them sitting 10th of all teams in the NFL. They have yielded 17 touchdowns from the passing game and 205.1 yards per outing, which has them ranked 12th out of all teams. In total, they have conceded 331 points in total. Denver has given up a total of 1,807 rushing yards (112.9 yards per outing) in addition to 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Broncos defense has taken part in 1,012 plays, which is good for 15th in the league. Their defense has tallied 21 turnovers (6 fumbles recovered and 15 interceptions) this year.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Broncos -2.5

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