Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos Prediction, 1/4/2026 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Location: Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO

TV: CBS

Odds-Point Spread: Broncos (-12.5)

Total-Over-Under: 37.5

The Denver Broncos (13-3) host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday. Los Angeles opens as 12.5-point dogs from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 37.5.

The Los Angeles Chargers step onto the field holding a record of 11-5 on the year. In their last game, the Chargers faced the Houston Texans and took a loss by a score of 20-16. Justin Herbert finished 21-32 with 236 yards passing and 1 touchdown. He had a quarterback rate of 84.9 and ended the contest with 1 pick. Omarion Hampton had an average of 3.9 yds per catch by recording 31 yards on 8 catches. Omarion Hampton led the offense in rushing for the Chargers with 14 carries for 29 yards (2.1 yards per carry). Once the final whistle blew, they had 54 plays which gave them a total of 275 yards. The Los Angeles Chargers ended up running the ball 22 times and tallied 74 yds, earning them an average of 3.4 yds per carry. When it came to stopping the run, the Chargers conceded 118 yds on 34 attempts, which averages out to 3.5 yds per run allowed. Los Angeles conceded 16 completions on 28 tries for 244 yards, and a completion percentage of 57.1%.

The Chargers have attained 5,458 total yards over the course of this season. Los Angeles has earned 178 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 99 penalties for 762 yards. When examining putting points on the board, Los Angeles has notched 26 passing touchdowns and 10 running touchdowns. They have surrendered the football 19 times (13 picks and 6 lost fumbles). As a unit, they're holding an average of 122.1 rushing yards giving them a rank of 12th in pro football. Regarding scoring points, the Los Angeles Chargers hold an average of 22.8 points per outing.

The Chargers are sitting 7th in pro football with reference to the opposition scoring, relinquishing 20.1 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.4 yds per rush on the ground and 104.7 rushing yds per game over the course of this year. Regarding yards via the pass, the Chargers have conceded 2,934 total yards, putting them 6th in pro football. They have conceded 183.4 total yards per outing through the air, and are giving up a completion% of 60.8%. Altogether, they are giving up 288.1 yards per outing, giving them a rank of 4th in football. They have conceded 16 touchdowns by way of the pass, plus 16 touchdowns to runners. On the whole, they have conceded 1,675 rushing yards through 16 contests over the course of this year.

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The Broncos step on the gridiron with a record of 13-3 so far this year. In their last contest, the Broncos walked away with a victory by a final of 20-13 when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. Bo Nix (1 TD) finished the game with 182 yds on 26-38 passing while his quarterback rate was 76.9. He threw 1 interception and his average yds per pass attempt was 4.8 yds. RJ Harvey was featured in the passing game for the Broncos, hauling in 5 balls for 33 yards (6.6 yds per catch). RJ Harvey carried the ball 14 times for 43 yds, finishing the game with 3.1 yds per attempt for Denver. The Broncos finished the game with 303 yds and they ran 70 plays (4.3 yards per play). Denver ran for 4.0 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 128 yards on 32 carries. Denver allowed 19 rushing attempts for 82 yds (4.3 yds per rush). The Broncos secondary allowed a completion percentage of 59.1%, surrendering 57 yards on 13 out of 22 passing.

With reference to how much they score, the Broncos are sitting 14th in pro football, by scoring 23.9 PPG. For the season, the Broncos have earned 3,683 passing yds and are sitting at 230.2 passing yds per contest, which has them ranking 9th in pro football. They average 118.9 rush yds per outing, and have run for 1,902 yards. The Denver Broncos average 349.1 total yards per game, which has them sitting 9th in professional football. The Denver offense has granted 1,144 yds on 123 penalties, which ranks 4th in professional football concerning making mistakes. They have recorded 11 interceptions while surrendering 6 fumbles lost, and have been able to earn 190 first downs offensively.

They have granted 18 touchdowns through the air along with 192.4 passing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 8th in football. Denver has surrendered a total of 1,435 rushing yards (89.7 total yards per outing), and 11 touchdowns to rushers so far this year. The defense has accumulated 12 takeaways (3 fumbles forced and 9 interceptions) over the course of this season. Altogether, they have granted 308 points in total. The Broncos defense has participated in 992 plays from scrimmage, giving them a rank of 17th in football. The Broncos are giving up 19.3 points per contest, which ranks 4th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Chargers-Broncos NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Chargers +12.5

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