NFL Odds Week 17: Chargers vs Broncos Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 17 of the NFL season continues with a mid-afternoon AFC West battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos. The betting odds see Denver as a 5.5-point favorite as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive in the aftermath of losses in three of their last four games. Coverage begins from Mile High Stadium in Denver on Sunday, December 31 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 17: Chargers vs. Broncos lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Odds

• Opening point spread: Broncos -6.5
• Opening moneyline: Broncos -250/Chargers +200
• Opening total: Over/Under 38.5 points scored
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS)

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET SUNDAY: With kickoff inside a half-hour, Denver sits at -3 (-105) on BetMGM's NFL Week 17 odds board. The Broncos opened -5.5, then midweek – when Russell Wilson was benched – the line plunged as low as -3.

Denver has since toggled between -3.5/-4 a couple of times. The Broncos are netting 57% of spread bets/62% of spread money.

BetMGM opened the total at 38.5, peaked at 39.5 Tuesday and bottomed out at 36.5 Thursday. Over the course of today, the number made its way back up to 38.5. Ticket count is 2/1 and money 5/1-plus on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET THURSDAY: There was big news out of Denver on Wednesday: Quarterback Russell Wilson was benched. So the Broncos will start Jarrett Stidham. That prompted TwinSpires to drop Denver from -5.5 to -4.5 to -3.5.

The Broncos are netting 64% of early spread bets, while 58% of early spread money is on the Chargers.

"With the QB change, there was some line movement. Sharp play on Chargers +5.5," Lucas said.

The total also took a hit on the Wilson news, as it's down to 37.5 from a 39.5 opener. The Under is taking 52% of tickets/60% of money.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Denver (7-8 SU/6-8-1 ATS) likely saw its postseason hopes end in Week 16. The Broncos were 7-point home favorites vs. New England and stunningly lost 26-23 on a final-seconds field goal.

That was after Denver rallied from an equally stunning 23-7 fourth-quarter deficit against a dismal Patriots team.

Los Angeles (5-10 SU/6-9 ATS) was catching 12.5 points at home against Buffalo and nearly notched an upset. The Chargers lost 24-22 on a last-minute Bills field goal.

Chargers-Broncos opened Denver -6.5 at The SuperBook, and the game came off the board once Patriots-Broncos kicked off. It will go back up Monday and likely see an adjustment after Denver's awful performance.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 17 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Chargers vs Broncos Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 17: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Chargers vs Broncos

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 17 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson