by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Sep 18, 2025
Game Time: 4:05 pm ET, Sunday, September 21, 2025
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Broncos +2.5, Chargers -2.5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Broncos +3, Chargers -3; Over/Under: 46 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Broncos +3, Chargers -3; Over/Under: 46 points
Season Record
Denver Broncos: 1-1 (3rd place, AFC West)
Los Angeles Chargers: 2-0 (1st place, AFC West)
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Recent Form
Denver Broncos: lost their last game on the road against the Indianapolis Colts 29-28.
Los Angeles Chargers: won their last game on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders 20-9.
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Analysis
The Broncos are entering this game with a 1-1 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-1 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Indianapolis Colts 29-28. Bo Nix was the starting QB and he completed 22/30 passes for 206 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. J.K. Dobbins led the team in rushing yards with 76 and 1 TD. Troy Franklin led the receivers with 89 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 1 TD. Patrick Surtain II led the defense in that game with 9 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Justin Strnad led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Chargers are entering this game with a 2-0 record overall and they have a 2-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 0-0 in their home games, 1-0 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Las Vegas Raiders 20-9. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 19/27 passes for 242 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Justin Herbert led the team in rushing yards with 31. Quentin Johnston led the receivers with 71 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Daiyan Henley led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Daiyan Henley, Jamaree Caldwell, and Khalil Mack each led the defense in sacks with 1. Daiyan Henley, Tony Jefferson, and Donte Jackson each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Broncos vs Chargers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Chargers listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Chargers have looked great in their games this season with their 2-0 record overall which has them right at the top of the AFC West in a great position. They already defeated the Chiefs in Brazil which took a big monkey off their back, and now they are off a 20-9 road win over the Raiders in a game where their defense played great. This is now their 3rd division game in a row to start the season and they are going to be motivated since they have a chance to really get ahead here in the AFC West with a 3-0 divisional record. Meanwhile, the Broncos have a 1-1 record overall and they haven't looked as good as advertised to start the season. They barely beat the Titans at home in a tight week 1 game and now they are off their first loss of the season. They lost on the road to the Colts 29-28 in a game where they were leading right until the game winning field goal, but that is a really demotivating loss and now they have to play their 2nd road game in a row here against what might be the best team in the division. Harbaugh has the Chargers heading in the right direction in year 2 and the Chargers have the more experienced and reliable QB to lean on to make the plays late when they need them. The best way to place a bet here is on the Chargers to cover the spread in this game.
Broncos Chargers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, September 21, 2025 (4:05 pm ET start time) is Chargers 27 Broncos 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Denver Broncos: 5-10 ATS in games where the line is +3 to -3. 3-7 ATS in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 6-3 UNDER off a road loss. 5-2 UNDER after a loss by 6 or less points.
Los Angeles Chargers: 14-8 ATS as a favorite. 6-3 ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 11-6 UNDER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 9-5 UNDER versus division opponents.
Key Injuries
Denver Broncos: N. Adkins (TE) Injured - Ankle. N. Bonitto (LB) Injured - Wrist. A. Singleton (LB) Injured - Thumb. T. Hufanga (S) Injured - Chest. E. Engram (TE) Injured - Back. D. Greenlaw (LB) Injured - Quad. J. Strnad (LB) Injured - Foot.
Los Angeles Chargers: W. Dissly (TE) Injured - Knee. J. Eboigbe (DL) Injured - Foot. C. Hart (CB) Injured - Hip. D. Henley (LB) Injured - Illness. L. McConkey (WR) Injured - Biceps. E. Molden (CB) Injured - Hamstring. T. Still (CB) Injured - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“We did a lot of things late in that game to keep ourselves from winning. It’ll be painful to watch that film. There will be a bitter taste for a little while. We put ourselves in position to control the game late. Then, it slipped out of our hands.” - Sean Payton after his team’s loss against the Colts in their last game.
"Derwin was flying around in the secondary. Makes that tip. He was playing at the line of scrimmage, he was playing in the intermediate and he was playing in the deep half and deep part of the field and blitzing off the edge. I've called him the best safety I've ever seen in the history of the National Football League. I don't think I'm going out on a limb there. He is one of the most incredible players I've ever watched." - Jim Harbaugh on Derwin James after his team’s win against the Raiders in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Denver Broncos
WR Sutton, Courtland
WR Mims Jr., Marvin
WR Franklin, Troy
TE Trautman, Adam
QB Nix, Bo
RB Dobbins, J.K.
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Allen, Keenan
WR McConkey, Ladd
TE Dissly, Will
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Hampton, Omarion
FB Matlock, Scott
Statistical Leaders
Denver Broncos
Passing: B. Nix (382)
Rushing: J. Dobbins (139)
Receiving: T. Franklin (133)
Touchdowns: J. Dobbins (2)
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: J. Herbert (560)
Rushing: O. Hampton (72)
Receiving: Q. Johnston (150)
Touchdowns: Q. Johnston (3)
Coaches:
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (3rd season)
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
