San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: NFL Week 11 Betting Odds and Predictions

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 11/18/12, 4:25 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Denver -7
Current Betting Line: Denver -7.5
Opening Total: 50.5
Current Total: 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Chargers vs. Broncos NFL Preview — The San Diego Chargers blew a large second-half lead against the Denver Broncos earlier this year

San Diego has lost and failed to cover the point spread in four of its last five games, including a 34-24 setback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as three-point road underdogs, while going OVER the total for the fourth time in that span. The Chargers will be focused on gaining revenge from a 35-24 setback to the Broncos as one-point home favorites earlier in the year, as they managed to blow a 24-point second-half lead. San Diego is 0-3 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 3-0 in that situation.

The Chargers have compiled a 5-1 road record against the Broncos with quarterback Philip Rivers, but sports bettors are going to have a hard time backing them at this price on the pro football odds page. He has compiled a 56.5 passer rating in the fourth quarter, which includes a league-worst six picks. San Diego definitely needs a healthy Ryan Mathews in the backfield, considering he averaged 127.3 rushing yards per game in his first three games against the Broncos until being limited to just 74 last month.

Denver has scored 31 or more points offensively in putting together a four-game win streak, which includes a 36-14 win over the Carolina Panthers as 3.5-point road favorites last week. The Broncos have also managed to go above the total in four of those five contests, with quarterback Peyton Manning demonstrating his MVP-type form, as he’s completing a career-best 69.7 percent of his passes. Denver is 5-0 ATS as a favorite this season, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL picks against the spread.

The Broncos are getting tremendous production out of linebacker Von Miller, who has 10 sacks through nine games to lead all AFC players at that particular position. On the other side of the ball, Denver’s wide receivers are benefiting with Manning under center, especially Demaryius Thomas in being just 101 yards away from becoming just the third player in franchise history to hit the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yardage after 10 games.