Monday Night Football Chargers vs. Broncos NFL Week 1 Predictions
Will the Chargers upset their division rivals tonight when they visit the Broncos at 10:20PM ET?
The Matchup: Chargers (0-0) at Broncos (0-0), 10:20PM ET, Denver
According to oddsmakers, Denver is a 3-point home favorite to win tonight versus L.A. The Chargers opened as a 4.5-point underdog before the line was bet down to the all-important number of 3.
The total, meanwhile, is sitting at 42 points. It hit the board at 44 before being bet down a full two points.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have been a good bet in Week 1. In their last five season openers, they’re 5-0 against the spread. They’re also 11-3-1 against the number in their last 15 games played in the month of September. In their last 14 road games, they’re 10-4 at the betting window.
That said, they’re 1-4 against the number in their last five games against the AFC. They’re also winless in their last five games against the spread overall dating back to last year.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are a perfect 6-0 at the betting window in their last six games played in September. They’ve covered in four of their last five season openers as well. Finally, they’re’ 7-3-1 against the spread in their last 11 home games.
Where Denver has struggled, however, is against the AFC. They’re 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games versus the conference. The Broncos are also just 2-6 against the number in their last eight games against the AFC West.
Our Prediciton
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Chargers win this game outright. They have the better quarterback and the better running game. They don’t have the better all-around defense, but they have a legit pass-rusher in Joey Bosa and two stud cornerbacks in Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett.
On the other side, Denver remains as shaky as ever at quarterback. The Bronco defense isn’t what it was a few years ago when they won the Super Bowl, either. The Bolts have a history of playing the Broncos close and I love them on the money line or with the points.
NFL Week 1 Monday Night Football Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers +3
