NFL Free Pick: DEN/SD
The most important game in the AFC West this season will be played in San Diego this Sunday night as the Chargers host the Denver Broncos for the rights to the AFC West crown.
Who will we give the nod to in our free pick for this game?
Our team of writers and handicappers break down the matchup and hand out a Free NFL Pick for Week 17.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Chargers -8 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set at 50.5 total points.
Key Trend: Denver is 0-4-1 against the spread in its last five games when playing San Diego and 2-4-1 against the number in its last seven games when playing the Chargers on the road. San Diego is also 10-4 against the spread in its last 14 games at home.
Key Stat: The Chargers are averaging 25.8 points per game, while the Broncos are allowing 26.4 points per game. Denver is also allowing a whopping 136.5 rushing yards per game.
Game Outlook: This game is all about momentum, which one team has, and one team doesn’t. The Chargers come into this game winners of three in a row, while the Broncos three of their last five games, including two in a row. Denver’s defense has had issues stopping the run all year, so expect Norv Turner to run LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles right at the Bronco defense in efforts to bring up their safeties. Once that happens, San Diego can go play action over the top and burn Denver for big plays. Quarterback Philip Rivers is having an MVP-like season and shouldn’t have any issues putting points on the board against a Broncos defense allowing over 26 points a game. Again, the Chargers have all the momentum and if they can keep Jay Cutler and the Denver offense contained for most of the game, they’ll win the AFC West and secure a playoff spot. Even though the number is rather high for a divisional game, oddsmakers know that Denver is primed for the taking and San Diego should roll. Expect the game to be tight in the first half, but the Chargers will open things up in the second and cruise to a huge win. For the rest of our NFL Free Pick, see below.
Our Free NFL Pick for the Week 17 matchup between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers is
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -8
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
San Diego Chargers 30
Denver Broncos 21
We also predict that this game will GO OVER THE TOTAL (50.5 Sports Interaction.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
Posted: 12/28/08 3:20PM ET