by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 09, 2026
Game Time: 4:05 pm ET, Sunday, October 11, 2026
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Broncos -3.5, Chargers +3.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Broncos -3.5, Chargers +3.5; Over/Under: 41.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Broncos -3.5, Chargers +3.5; Over/Under: 42 points
Season Record
Denver Broncos: 2-2 (3rd place, AFC West)
Los Angeles Chargers: 0-4 (4th place, AFC West)
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Recent Form
Denver Broncos: lost their last game on the road against the San Francisco 49ers 24-14.
Los Angeles Chargers: lost their last game on the road against the Seattle Seahawks 30-23.
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Analysis
The Broncos are entering this game with a 2-2 record overall and they have a 0-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-0 in their home games, 0-2 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 San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Bo Nix was the starting QB and he completed 25/42 passes for 214 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. J.K. Dobbins led the team in rushing yards with 40. RJ Harvey led the receivers with 68 receiving yards on 10 receptions. Alex Singleton led the defense in that game with 14 solo tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Chargers are entering this game with a 0-4 record overall and they have a 0-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 0-2 in their home games, 0-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Seattle Seahawks 30-23. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 19/31 passes for 189 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Omarion Hampton led the team in rushing yards with 45 and 1 TD. Tre Harris led the receivers with 60 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor each led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles while Khalil Mack and Troy Dye each led the defense in sacks with 1. Tuli Tuipulotu came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Broncos vs Chargers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Broncos listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Broncos haven't looked great in their games this season with their 2-2 record overall which has them right near the bottom of the AFC West. They haven't been a great road team either with their 0-2 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Chargers have looked terrible in their games this season with their 0-4 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the AFC West. They haven't looked good on their home field either with their 0-2 home record this season. The Chargers are coming off another loss in their last one, losing to the Seahawks 30-23, and they look like they are about to enter a disaster season, still being winless through 4 games. Their defense hasn't looked good with the number of points they have been giving up and their offense has also looked out of sorts, not putting up many points in their 4 games. The Broncos are coming off a 24-14 loss to the 49ers in their last one and they have been really up and down this year. The Broncos also have losses against the Chiefs and the 49ers who are both undefeated through 4 weeks. They were one of the best teams in the NFL last season with one of the best defenses too and they still have a ton of talent on that defense. Bo Nix has been really up and down, but he was like that last season and they still won a ton of games. The defense has been really good again this season and they will do a lot of the work here while Bo Nix and this Broncos offense do just enough to win with some comfort. The best way to place a bet here is on the Broncos to cover the spread in this game.
Broncos Chargers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, October 11, 2026 (4:05 pm ET start time) is Broncos 23 Chargers 16.
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NFL Betting Trends
Denver Broncos: 11-6 ATS in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 6-1 ATS after scoring 14 points or less last game. 11-6 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 7-1 UNDER off a road loss. 11-6 UNDER after playing their last game on the road.
Los Angeles Chargers: 34-47 ATS as a home underdog. 1-5 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse. 4-7 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 350 yards/game or more. 9-4 UNDER as an underdog. 5-1 UNDER after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse.
Key Injuries
Denver Broncos: D. Jones (DL) Injured - Rest. Z. Allen (DL) Injured - Rest. P. Surtain II (CB) Injured - Ankle. R. Moss (CB) Injured - Ribs. T. Badie (RB) Injured - Foot. A. Trautman (TE) Injured - Shoulder. D. Tillman (LB) Injured - Hamstring. P. Bryant (WR) Injured - Ankle.
Los Angeles Chargers: K. Mack (LB) Injured - Rest. D. Tomlinson (DL) Injured - Hamstring. D. James Jr. (S) Injured - Hamstring. D. Jackson (CB) Injured - Hamstring. K. Awosika (OG) Injured - Fibula. C. Kolar (TE) Injured - Forearm. R. Slater (OT) Injured - Ankle. A. Ingold (FB) Injured - Shoulder. S. Matlock (FB) Injured - Foot. Q. Johnston (WR) Injured - Chest. D. Leonard (CB) Injured - Rib. T. Lance (QB) Injured - Groin. T. Penning (OG) Injured - Concussion. C. Hart (CB) Injured - Knee. J. Alt (OT) Injured - Neck. L. McConkey (WR) Injured - Foot. B. Taylor (OG) Injured - Neck. B. Thompson (WR) Injured - Quadricep.
Notable Quotes
“We just didn’t have enough offense to get a lead and then go beyond that. We just didn’t have enough answers to get past that and get a lead.” - Sean Payton after his team’s loss against the 49ers in their last game.
“What I saw from our players, that will, that never say die attitude that they have. I mean, it's throughout the team.” - Jim Harbaugh after his team’s loss against the Seahawks in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Denver Broncos
WR Sutton, Courtland
WR Waddle, Jaylen
WR Mims Jr., Marvin
TE Engram, Evan
QB Nix, Bo
RB Dobbins, J.K.
FB Prentice, Adam
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Harris, Tre'
WR McConkey, Ladd
TE Gadsden, Oronde
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Hampton, Omarion
FB Ingold, Alec
Statistical Leaders
Denver Broncos
Passing: Bo Nix (819)
Rushing: J.K. Dobbins (161)
Receiving: Jaylen Waddle (185)
Touchdowns: Nate Adkins (2)
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: Justin Herbert (816)
Rushing: Omarion Hampton (238)
Receiving: Tre' Harris (209)
Touchdowns: Omarion Hampton (3)
Coaches:
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (4th season)
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (3rd 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.
