The LAs Chargers (11-5) and Denver Broncos (13-3) meet Sunday for a Week 18 game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Chargers vs. Broncos odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Broncos have already locked up the AFC West title, and a first-round home playoff game. However, Denver is still in the mix for the AFC No. 1 overall seed, that valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

L.A. has won 4 of the past 5 games, while also going 4-1 against the spread (ATS). The Under is 3-0-1 in the past 4 games, and 5-1-1 in the previous 7 outings. Denver won 20-13 in Week 17, but didn’t come close to cover as a 13.5-point favorite at Kansas City as the Under (37.5) cashed. The Broncos have won 12 of the past 13 games, but they’re 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games. The Over is 4-1 in that 5-game span.

The Chargers lost a huge game against Houston in Week 17, falling 20-16 last Saturday as a 1-point favorite at home as the Under (41) cashed. QB Justin Herbert threw for 236 yards and a TD, while RB Omarion Hampton ran for a score despite just 29 yards on 14 carries. TE Oronde Gadsden II had the TD grab, while WR Quentin Johnston registered 5 catches for 98 yards.

The Chargers are jockeying for seeding with fellow non-division winners, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans or Jacksonville Jaguars, for seeds No. 5 through 7 in the AFC. However, with the division off the table, Herbert will be the backup, with QB Trey Lance drawing the start. Hampton is also out, with RBs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal questionable due to nagging injuries.

These teams met back in Week 3 in Los Angeles, with the Bolts winning 23-20 as a 3-point favorite, pushing at most shops as the Under (45.5) cashed.

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Chargers at Broncos odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:35 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Chargers +650 (bet $100 to win $650) | Broncos -1000 (bet $1,000 to win $100)Against the spread: Chargers +13.5 (-110) | Broncos -13.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Chargers at Broncos key injuries

Chargers

C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) questionableRB Omarion Hampton (ankle) outRB Hassan Haskins (concussion) questionableS R.J. Mickens (shoulder) questionableDB Elijah Molden (hamstring) doubtfulCB Nikko Reed (hamstring) outOL Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) doubtfulCB Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder) questionableRB Kimani Vidal (neck) questionable

Broncos

DE John Franklin-Myers (hip) questionableLB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) outLB Karene Reid (hamstring) out

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Chargers at Broncos picks and predictionsPrediction

Broncos 29, Chargers 13

The Broncos (-1000) will cost you 10 times your potential return, which is obviously not a recommended play. Laying $100 will net you a profit of just $10. That’s crazy risk for a small reward.

AVOID.

BRONCOS -13.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play, even though they didn’t come close to cashing with a similar number in Kansas City against a third-string QB.

However, Denver is home, and it is playing for home-field advantage, so it’s all right in front of them. The New England Patriots, the current top AFC seed, also play at 4:25 p.m. ET against the Miami Dolphins, so Denver will be scoreboard watching, but it won’t know the full result of the Patriots game until it finishes its game. So, look for Denver to go all out.

OVER 37.5 (-110) is the lean, but also go with a half-unit play at most.

The Chargers are likely going to power down, pun totally intended, with several starters making only cameos, or sitting completely. The Broncos will be bringing it, though, and their offense should do enough to get this one across the finish line for the Over.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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