Story update: Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday that quarterback Justin Herbert and starters with “the most bruises” won’t play against the Broncos. See our original post below.
NFL oddsmakers (and the league’s schedule makers) seemingly expect the Los Angeles Chargers to rest starters against the Denver Broncos in Week 18.
The Chargers beat the Broncos earlier this season and Denver only beat the lowly Kansas City Chiefs by seven points last week, but oddsmakers have the Broncos listed as seven-point favorites going into Sunday’s game. Additionally, the NFL will have three prime-time games in Week 18, and none of them will feature the Denver-L.A. matchup.
Instead, the Broncos and Chargers will play in the 2:25 window on CBS on Sunday afternoon. That ho-hum timeslot, combined with L.A. being big underdogs, suggests that there’s a feeling the Chargers won’t go all out for a win.
L.A. is already dealing with a host of injuries and star quarterback Justin Herbert is nicked up, so the Chargers might not view the No. 7 seed (a potential trip to New England) as a much worse option than the No. 6 seed (a potential trip to Jacksonville). Denver, meanwhile, has already clinched the AFC West, and the Broncos would secure the No. 1 seed in the conference with a win against L.A. in Week 18.
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