NFL Playoffs Chargers vs. Broncos Divisional Round Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
DENVER, CO (The Spread) – Will Peyton Manning and the Broncos get their revenge on the Chargers today when the two teams clash in the final Divisional Round game of the NFL playoff weekend?
NFL Odds: According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Broncos are 8-point favorites versus the Chargers while the over/under total is currently sitting at 54 points. San Diego is 10-7 overall and 5-4 on the road this year, while Denver is 13-3 overall and 7-1 at home.
Line Movement: The Broncos opened as 9.5-point favorites and the line was bet up to 10 in the middle of the week, before dropping as low as 8 at some sports books. As for the total, it opened at 55.5 and has been bet down to 54 or 54.5, depending on the book.
Public Betting: Of the wagers currently placed on this game, 55% of NFL public bettors currently favor the Chargers. This information is subject to change leading up to kickoff, however, so make sure you click on the link provided for the most up-to-date NFL public betting numbers.
KEY NFL BETTING TRENDS: The Broncos are 6-1-1 against the spread in their last eight games versus AFC West opponents, 4-1 ATS in their last five games versus AFC opponents overall, and 4-1 ATS in their last five games total. The Chargers, meanwhile, are 4-9-1 against the number in their last 14 games following a straight up win, 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games following an ATS win, and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win of more than 14 points. While everyone is expecting Peyton Manning to falter again in the his opening playoff game, this is a perfect revenge spot for him and the Broncos. The Chargers were one of only two teams, the Chiefs being the other, that held Denver to under 30 points this season and they did it twice. But while San Diego has given Manning fits in the past, this might be his last opportunity to win a Super Bowl before calling it a career. Look for him to put on a show and for Denver to advance.
2014 NFL PLAYOFFS FREE PICK: DENVER BRONCOS -8