The Los Angeles Chargers, riding a perfect 2-0 start to the season, welcome the Denver Broncos to SoFi Stadium for an AFC West showdown. The Broncos, currently 1-1, are aiming to recover from a narrow 29-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. With both teams showcasing offensive talent, this game holds significant implications for the divisional race. Under the guidance of Sean Payton, the Broncos have demonstrated both promise and inconsistency, as evident in their first two games. Bo Nix, the Broncos’ quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the team’s victory over the Tennessee Titans. However, facing a Chargers defense that forced three interceptions last week, Nix will need to elevate his game. The Chargers, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, are off to a hot start with a perfect record. Quarterback Justin Herbert’s impressive performance against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders has set the tone for the Chargers’ potent offense. With a solid win over the Raiders, the Chargers look to extend their winning streak and maintain their stronghold in the AFC West.
Chargers vs Broncos At a Glance
- Game Date and Time: Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 4:05 PM (Afternoon Game)
- Location: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA USA — Dome
- Weather Forecast: Mild day with scattered clouds; wind may not impact play due to dome conditions
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Game Odds: Chargers favored with a Moneyline of -155 and spread of -2.5 (-119)
- Team Records: Broncos are 1-1-0 overall, while the Chargers are 2-0-0
Los Angeles Chargers Gear Up for Denver Showdown
Offensive Performance
The Los Angeles Chargers have had a solid offensive performance in the 2024 season, scoring a total of 402 points, placing them 11th in the league. Their passing game contributed 3,629 yards, ranking 19th, while the rushing attack added 1,882 yards, ranking 17th. The team’s ability to secure first downs stands at 316, placing them 18th in the league.
On third downs, the Chargers have been efficient, converting 40.3% of their attempts, which is the 11th-best in the league. Their offensive balance and ability to move the chains consistently make them a formidable opponent. Heading into the game, the Chargers’ offense will look to build on these numbers and continue their positive momentum.
Defensive Dominance
Defensively, the Chargers have been exceptional, allowing only 301 points, the fewest in the league for the 2024 season. They have been effective in pressuring opposing quarterbacks with 46 sacks, ranking 5th overall. The defense has also excelled in creating turnovers, recording 15 interceptions, which is tied for the 5th-best mark in the league.
The Chargers’ defense is not only about sacks and interceptions; they have been able to limit opponent offensive yards to 5,514, which ranks them 11th. Their ability to force fumbles and recover six of them further showcases their defensive prowess. This formidable defense will aim to stifle the Denver Broncos’ offense in the upcoming game.
Recent Victories
The Chargers have started the 2025 season with a bang, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21 at home and the Las Vegas Raiders 20-9 on the road. In the game against the Chiefs, Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating his elite quarterbacking skills.
Against the Raiders, the Chargers’ defense was dominant, intercepting the ball three times and holding Las Vegas to just 150 passing yards. These performances have solidified their standing as a team to watch this season. Consistency will be key as they aim for another win against Denver.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Justin Herbert has been the linchpin of the Chargers’ offense, with 560 passing yards and five touchdowns in two games, ranking him 1st on the team. On the ground, Omarion Hampton leads the rushing attack with 72 yards, while Quentin Johnston has emerged as a top receiver with 150 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Daiyan Henley has been a standout with 10 solo tackles, four assists, and two sacks in the first two games. Safety Derwin James Jr. adds depth to the secondary, contributing with solid tackling. These players will be instrumental in both offensive and defensive schemes against the Broncos.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – Totals ≤ 42 (REG): Last 7 REG Games (2024) → 7-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42 (REG): Last 7 REG Games (2024) → 7-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Home Games (REG): Last 6 REG Games (2024–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite (REG): Last 10 REG Games (2024–2025) → 9-1 (90.0%)
- ATS – As Favorite (REG): Last 10 REG Games (2024–2025) → 9-1 (90.0%)
With these betting trends, the Chargers have shown strong performances when games have totals of 42 or less and when playing at home. They have also been reliable as favorites, winning nine out of their last ten games under these conditions. These trends provide insight into their potential performance against Denver.
Broncos Set to Tackle the Chargers: A Data-Driven Preview
Broncos Offense Overview
The Denver Broncos have scored a total of 425 points in the 2024 season, ranking them 10th in the league. Their passing game has accumulated 3,610 yards, placing them 20th, while their rushing attack ranks 16th with 1,908 yards. The Broncos’ ability to convert on third downs is notable, with a 39.6% success rate ranking them 13th overall.
Quarterback Bo Nix leads the offense with 382 passing yards and four touchdowns over two games. Despite a solid start, he has thrown three interceptions, a point of concern. Running back J.K. Dobbins is pivotal with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns, ranking him 11th in rushing yards.
Defensive Strengths
The Broncos’ defense is a formidable force, allowing just 311 points last season, ranking them third in the league. Their pass rush is particularly lethal, leading the NFL with 63 sacks. The defense also excels at creating turnovers, ranking 5th in interceptions and 6th in fumbles recovered.
Key players include Pat Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga, both of whom have been instrumental in the secondary. The Broncos have held opponents to just 5,391 offensive yards, ranking 7th in the league. This defense will need to continue its dominance against a potent Chargers offense.
Recent Game Performances
The Broncos experienced a narrow 29-28 loss against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. Despite a strong performance from Bo Nix with three touchdown passes, the defense struggled to contain the Colts’ offense. In Week 1, the Broncos secured a 20-12 victory over the Tennessee Titans, with a strong defensive showing that limited the Titans to only seven first downs.
J.K. Dobbins was a standout performer in both games, showcasing his versatility with both rushing and receiving contributions. The offensive line’s ability to protect Bo Nix and open running lanes for Dobbins will be crucial in their upcoming game against the Chargers.
Key Player Contributions
Wide receiver Troy Franklin has been a consistent target for Bo Nix, amassing 133 receiving yards and a touchdown over two games. Courtland Sutton also contributes significantly with 67 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Broncos will look to these playmakers to exploit the Chargers’ defense.
On special teams, kicker Wil Lutz has been reliable, converting two field goals and six extra points. His consistency can provide the Broncos with crucial points in close games. The Broncos’ depth and versatility are assets they hope to leverage throughout the season.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – Home Games (REG): 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite (REG): 9-1 (90.0%)
- O/U – After Win (REG): 8-1 (88.9%)
- O/U – Away Games (REG): 4-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42 (REG): 7-1 (87.5%)
- ATS – As Favorite (REG): 8-2 (80.0%)
- O/U – All Games (REG): 11-4 (73.3%)
- ATS – Home Games (REG): 5-1 (83.3%)
- SU – Totals ≤ 42 (REG): 5-1 (83.3%)
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42 (REG): 5-1 (83.3%)
- O/U – As Underdog (REG): 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite (REG): 7-3 (70.0%)
- SU – All Games (REG): 6-3 (66.7%)
- SU – After Win (REG): 4-2 (66.7%)
- O/U – Home Games (REG): 5-3 (62.5%)
- ATS – All Games (REG): 8-7 (53.3%)
- SU – After Loss (REG): 2-1 (66.7%)
- ATS – After Loss (REG): 2-1 (66.7%)
- ATS – After Win (REG): 4-4 (50.0%)
- O/U – After Loss (REG): 2-3 (40.0%)
Chargers vs Broncos Prediction: Chargers -2.5
The Los Angeles Chargers are currently 2-0-0 in the season, showcasing their ability to handle divisional opponents with a 2-0-0 record. Historically, they have shown strong performance when favored, covering the spread in 9 of the last 10 games when favored. Their recent dominance in head-to-head games against the Broncos further supports this trend.
The Denver Broncos, on the other hand, have a 1-1-0 record this season, with their road game record sitting at 0-1-0. While they have a decent defense ranking 3rd in opponent score, their inability to secure a road win against a strong Chargers team makes them the underdogs here. The Broncos will likely struggle to contain the Chargers’ offense, especially in a dome environment like SoFi Stadium.
Given the Chargers’ strong showing at home and their ability to cover the spread as favorites, the pick here is the Chargers at -2.5. With an impressive track record of covering the spread and dominating in the division, the Chargers are well-positioned to take this game by a comfortable margin.
Expect the game to end with a projected final score of Chargers 28 – Broncos 21, which aligns with the spread and total points. This prediction takes into account the Chargers’ offensive capabilities and the Broncos’ defensive challenges.
- Chargers vs Broncos Prediction: Chargers -2.5
- Chargers vs Broncos Score: Chargers 28 – Broncos 21
