Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (11/28/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (11/28/21)
This AFC West divisional matchup should provide a ton of betting interest, and there are tons of exciting betting angles to discuss. The Chargers are coming off an impressive offensive performance in a 41-37 win over the Steelers. The Broncos are coming off a much-needed bye week to reset and attempt to overcome some of their many injuries. The division is wide open, as is the Wild Card race in the conference, so this matchup carries plenty of weight for both teams. It’s also an intriguing reuniting of head coaches Vic Fangio and Brandon Staley, who coached together with the Bears, adding another wrinkle to the game.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Betting Odds
The Trends
- Chargers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in the AFC West
- Chargers are 1-3-1 in their last 8 games in Denver
- Broncos are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games after an ATS loss
- Broncos are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games against AFC teams
- Underdog is 5-2-1 ATS in these teams’ last 8 meetings
- Over is 6-1 in the last 7 games between these teams in Denver
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 games between these teams overall
The Pick
The Broncos have been one of the toughest teams to trust in the NFL every week, and it’s hard to know which version of the team we’ll see this week. On the one hand, the Chargers’ high-flying offense should be able to beat up on a banged-up Denver front seven. On the other hand, underdogs have been succeeding in this game dating back, and this feels like the type of game the Broncos would win as they are coming off their bye week, and the Chargers emptied the tank on Sunday night. I’m staying away from this game from a betting standpoint, but I’ll run with a Chargers win by a field goal for my pick here.
My predictions: Chargers win 27-24, Chargers cover, over 48 points
- Michigan Sports Betting
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- Arizona Sports Betting
- BetMGM Michigan
- FanDuel Michigan
- DraftKings Michigan
- Caesars Arizona
- DraftKings Arizona
- FanDuel Arizona
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You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, November 28
Time: 4:05 PM ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
TV Coverage: CBS
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Live Stream
Where can you watch Chargers vs. Broncos online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Chargers vs. Broncos Free Online Now.
Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: OG Matt Feiler (ankle) Q, CB Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) O, DT Linval Joseph (illness) IR/COVID-19
Denver Broncos: DE Shelby Harris (ankle) Q, S Kareem Jackson (neck) D, OT Bobby Massie (ankle) D, OT Garrett Bolles (illness) IR/COVID-19
Los Angeles Chargers Analysis
I had some concerns about the Chargers’ offense underperforming, but they were coming off one of their best showings of the season last week. Justin Herbert threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers while adding another nine carries for 90 yards in arguably his best performance of the year, and it was good to see him get back on track after a couple of down games. His second season has brought its fair share of ups and downs, but his elite talent and poise have shone through.
Austin Ekeler is coming off a massive four-touchdown game that was only outdone by Jonathan Taylor’s five-touchdown effort on the week. Ekeler’s ability to contribute as an elite receiver and runner is arguably unmatched in the NFL right now. Mike Williams had a game-clinching 53-yard touchdown, his most significant play in weeks, and Keenan Allen had another very impactful game with nine catches for 112 yards. It’s hard to find a trio of skill position players better than those three right now.
The Chargers’ offensive line has been one of the more improved units in the NFL after the franchise invested heavy resources in the group over the offseason. Los Angeles is ranked as the #4 pass protection offensive line on Football Outsiders with just 18 sacks allowed, and they rank thirteenth in run-blocking to boot. Bryan Bulaga’s extended absence has hurt, and Matt Feiler may not play this week, but rookie Rashawn Slater has been elite.
Defensively, the Chargers haven’t been as good as expected when they hired a defensive-minded coach in Brandon Staley. They rank 21st in defensive DVOA and have allowed 26.5 points per game, the sixth-most in the NFL. LA has been particularly susceptible to the run as they allow 145.1 rushing yards per game, the most in the NFL. This week, that run defense will be put to the test against a dynamic duo in Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon.
Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
QB: Justin Herbert
RB1: Austin Ekeler
RB2: Justin Jackson
WR1: Keenan Allen
WR2: Mike Williams
WR3: Jalen Guyton
TE1: Jared Cook
TE2: Donald Parham Jr.
Denver Broncos Analysis
Teddy Bridgewater has had an up-and-down season, but it’s been more down lately as he has thrown for over 240 yards just once in his last four games and has just four touchdowns and one interception over that span. Bridgewater is capable of getting the ball to the team’s talented set of pass-catchers, but he’s not capable of elevating this offense, and his poor play against the Eagles hangs over the team at the moment. However, he should be able to move the ball against a vulnerable LA secondary.
Javonte Williams is starting to get on a roll, and he had his first career 100-yard game a couple of weeks ago, but Melvin Gordon is still competent and very involved. The Broncos spent their bye week locking up Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick on long-term contracts while Jerry Jeudy will be in orange and blue for a long time, as well. This skill-position group is chock-full of talent, and now that it’s healthy, they should be suitable for some big games the rest of the way.
Garrett Bolles landed on the COVID-19 Injured Reserve earlier this week, and the All-Pro offensive tackle will be sorely missed against Joey Bosa, one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. With Graham Glasgow and Bobby Massie also injured, the young players on this offensive line will need to step up this week. Denver ranks 27th in pass-blocking on Football Outsiders and has allowed 30 sacks this year, the sixth-most in the NFL. Their ability, or lack thereof, to keep Bridgewater upright will define this game for them.
There were high hopes for Denver’s defense this season, but things haven’t exactly gone according to plan, and they now rank just 26th in defensive DVOA. The injuries have piled up on defense for the Broncos, with Josey Jewell, Alexander Johnson, Bryce Callahan, Bradley Chubb, and Micah Kiser all on Injured Reserve. It will be interesting to see how Vic Fangio and the defensive coaches adjusted their plans for the remainder of the season over the bye week with so many injuries.
Denver Broncos Depth Chart
QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB1: Melvin Gordon III
RB2: Javonte Williams
WR1: Jerry Jeudy
WR2: Courtland Sutton
WR3: Tim Patrick
TE1: Noah Fant
TE2: Albert Okwuegbunam
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos Daily Fantasy Picks
Justin Herbert should be an excellent DFS target this week, and I’m very excited about his upside against a battered Denver defense. You can pair Keenan Allen or Mike Williams with Herbert; Williams has the more significant upside for a slate-breaking game; Allen is the guy if you want a high floor and decent ceiling. I’m excited about the upside for both Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon on the Denver side, even if they are splitting snaps again this week. Of course, I wouldn’t play them in the same lineup, but they both have high upside. You can say the same thing about the Denver receivers, and it’s been challenging to know which one will have a big game on any given week. I’m most excited about Jerry Jeudy, especially with Asante Samuel Jr. out.
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