Chargers vs. Broncos 2013: Betting odds, trends & pick

The Broncos are expected to pick up yet another double-digit win and cover the 10-point spread Thursday night.

by OddsShark

Dec 12, 2013, 1:02 PM UTC

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

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Chargers vs. Broncos 2013, Week 15: San Diego keep playoff hopes alive with win

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The Denver Broncos haven't had too many close games this year, and oddsmakers aren't expecting one this Thursday when they take on the San Diego Chargers.

A week after roaring back from an early deficit to upend the Titans, 51-28, Denver is listed as a 10-point favorite against the Chargers. Led by a record-setting Peyton Manning and the league's top offense, the Broncos have won by a double-digit margin in nine of their 13 games this season.

That being said, the Broncos haven’t been quite as strong for bettors as those numbers would suggest. While 11-2 overall, the team has gone 8-5 against the spread (ATS). Even more significant to those betting on that line: one of their few single-digit victories came against the Chargers in Week 10, when a second-half San Diego rally fell short at 28-20.

Manning will be without one of his top targets in Wes Welker, who has been ruled out with a concussion.

The Chargers 7-5-1 ATS record is actually better than their 6-7 overall record. They also have the added motivation of frantically fighting for the final wild card spot in the AFC. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win on Thursday and are in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the conference.

With Manning and Philip Rivers both ranking in the top five among NFL quarterbacks in passing percentage, yardage and touchdowns, expect plenty of points to be racked up. The two teams combine to average 63.9 points per game, a full touchdown over the game's 56-point over/under. The total has gone over in 12 of the Broncos last 14 games.

Pick: Broncos cover | Computer Prediction: 38-28 Broncos (follow Odds Shark on Twitter for line updates and injury news)