The AFC West crowns its regular-season finale with a Week 18 clash between two playoff-bound teams, but with contrasting motivations: the Broncos, atop the division, seek to lock in the No. 1 AFC seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason, while the Chargers, secured as a wild-card entrant, are expected to rest key starters like QB Justin Herbert to preserve health for the playoffs. Denver rides a dominant campaign, boasting one of the league’s top defenses, against a Los Angeles squad that’s shown grit under new leadership but enters with injury concerns and a likely conservative approach. This rivalry matchup could turn lopsided if the Broncos play full strength, highlighting Denver’s ground game against a potentially depleted Chargers front.
Venue Location
Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado. This outdoor stadium, opened in 2001, seats approximately 76,125 fans and is situated at an elevation of 5,280 feet, known for its thin air that can fatigue visiting teams and affect kicking accuracy.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET (3:25 p.m. CT / 1:25 p.m. PT / 2:25 p.m. MT).
Broadcast: The game will be regionally televised on CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)
Streaming options including Paramount+ and NFL+ for eligible viewers.
Weather Updates
Outdoor conditions at kickoff are expected to be cold and potentially windy, with daytime highs around 34-39°F, lows near 21-28°F, and a 22-43% chance of precipitation, including possible light snow or flurries. Winds around 6-7.2 mph could affect passing and field goals, favoring ground attacks in typical Denver winter weather. No major storms are forecasted, but monitor updates for any changes in mountain snow impacting travel.
Injury Report
The Chargers, with playoff seeding locked, list numerous players and may rest starters, while the Broncos, chasing the top seed, have several limited but aim for availability.
Los Angeles Chargers Injuries:
QB Justin Herbert: Limited (ankle; expected to sit out per reports).
RB Omarion Hampton: DNP (ankle).
C Bradley Bozeman: DNP (concussion).
WR Derius Davis: DNP (ankle).
RB Hassan Haskins: DNP (concussion).
S RJ Mickens: DNP (shoulder).
WR Keenan Allen: Vet rest (likely DNP or limited).
OLB Tuli Tuipulotu: Limited.
Total: 14 players on report, with rest decisions impacting starters.
Denver Broncos Injuries:
LB Karene Reid: Limited (hamstring).
TE Nate Adkins: Limited/returned (knee).
WR Pat Bryant: Limited/returned (concussion).
DL John Franklin-Myers: Limited (hip).
LB Dre Greenlaw: DNP (sidelined).
DE Joey Bosa: DNP (hamstring).
LB Terrel Bernard: DNP (calf).
Others on IR: C Luke Wattenberg (ankle), S Brandon Jones, LB Drew Sanders; 11 total on IR.
Player Matchups
With Chargers likely resting Herbert (Easton Stick expected to start), focus shifts to Denver’s dominance in the trenches and run game.
Broncos QB Bo Nix vs. Chargers Secondary: Nix, efficient with low turnovers, exploits a Chargers D ranked mid-tier but potentially resting players; hip-limited Franklin-Myers could aid protection.
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (if active) vs. Broncos Run Defense: Hampton’s ankle DNP status tests Denver’s No. 2 run D (allowing ~85 YPG), but backups may struggle in altitude.
Broncos RB Audric Estime vs. Chargers Front: Estime leads a committee attack against Los Angeles’ line, thinned by injuries/rest.
Broncos EDGE vs. Chargers O-Line: With Bosa (hamstring) out, Denver’s pass rush (led by Reid if active) pressures Stick amid Bozeman’s absence.
Recent Team FormsThe Chargers have won 4 of their last 5, including strong showings against division foes, averaging 22.8 PPG overall (17th) but surging late under Jim Harbaugh; however, rest plans could alter output.
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The Broncos are 5-0 in their last 5, dominating with 23.9 PPG (14th) and a top defense allowing fewest points (16.7 PPG), going 6-2 at home.
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Series HistoryThe Broncos lead the all-time series 73-58-1 (including 1 playoff game), dating to 1960, with Denver winning 9 of the last 10 regular-season meetings. Largest Broncos win: 38-3 (1984); Chargers’ notable: 41-3 (1960). The 2025 Week 6 matchup saw Chargers edge Broncos 23-20.
Betting Trends
Broncos: 9-7 ATS overall; 5-0 SU in last 5; 6-2 ATS at home; 2-3 over in last 5.
Chargers: 10-6 ATS; 4-1 SU in last 5 but 3-2 ATS; Harbaugh 10-0-1 ATS vs. AFC West last two years.
Head-to-Head: Broncos 9-1 SU last 10; 4-1 ATS last 5; overs in 6 of last 10.
CHARGERS NIOTES:
• CHARGERS clinched playoff berth & qualified for postseason in back-to-back years for 1st time since 4 consecutive playoff appearances from 2006-09. Is only team with undeafted record vs. division this season (5-0). • QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 21 of 32 atts. (65.6 pct.) for 236 yards & TD in Week 17. Needs 66 pass yards to surpass HOFer Peyton Manning (24,885) for most pass yards in 1st 6 seasons all-time. Aims for his 4th in row with 65+ comp. pct., 210+ pass yards & TD pass. Passed for 300 yards & TD in Week 3 meeting. • RB OMARION HAMPTON had 8 catches, 60 scrimmage yards (31 rec., 29 rush) & rush TD last week. Is 1 of 5 rookies with 60+ scrimmage yards in 8+ games (8) this season. Has TD in 3 of his past 4. Had 6 catches, 129 scrimmage yards (70 rush, 59 rec.) & rush TD in Week 3 meeting. • WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON had 5 catches for 98 yards in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd in row with 95+ rec. yards. Has 50+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 4 of his 5 games on road this season. Had 6 catches for 89 yards in Week 3 meeting. • WR KEENAN ALLEN had 7 catches for 65 yards & TD in Week 3 meeting. • TE ORONDE GADSDEN (rookie) had TD catch last week. • LB KHALIL MACK had 4 tackles, TFL & FF in Week 17. Aims for his 4th in row vs. division with half sack. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY led team with 10 tackles last week. Has 5+ tackles in 6 of his 7 games on road this season. • LB TULI TUIPULOTU has sack in 5 of his past 6 on road. Ranks 5th in NFL with 13 sacks this season. • CB TARHEEB STILL had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 17. • S DERWIN JAMES had 8 tackles & INT last week. Has 8+ tackles & INT in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Had 12 tackles, 4 TFL & sack in Week 3 meeting. • CB ELIJAH MOLDEN had 3 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 17.
BRONCOS NOTES:
• BRONCOS were 1st AFC team to clinch playoff spot & won 13 games in a season for 1st time since 2013. • QB BO NIX completed 26 of 38 atts. (68.4 pct.) for 182 yards & TD & rushed for 42 yards & TD in Week 17. Has 23 wins since entering NFL in 2024, 2ndmost wins by QB in 1st 2 seasons all-time. Became 3rd player ever (Justin Herbert & HOFer Peyton Manning) with 3,500+ pass yards & 25 TD passes in each of 1st 2 seasons all-time. Has 210+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 2 of 3 career starts vs. LAC. • RB RJ HARVEY had 5 catches, 76 scrimmage yards (43 rush, 33 rec.) & TD catch last week. Leads rookies in scrimmage TDs (12) this season. Has TD in 5 consecutive games, tied 2nd-longest active streak in NFL. • RB JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN rushed for 40 yards in Week 17. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON had 40 rec. yards last week. Has 60+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 overall & has TD catch in 4 of his past 5 vs. LAC. Had 6 catches for 118 yards & TD in Week 3 meeting. • LB NIK BONITTO had PD in Week 17. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 vs. LAC. Had 4 tackles & 2 sacks in Week 3 meeting. • LB JONATHON COOPER had 4 tackles & sack in Week 3 meeting. • LB ALEX SINGLETON had 4 tackles last week. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 8+ tackles. Had 12 tackles in Week 3 meeting. • LB JONAH ELLISS had half sack in Week 17. Has half sack in 2 of his past 3. Had TFL & PD in Week 3 meeting. • LB DONDREA TILLMAN had half sack last week. Had 4 tackles in Week 3 meeting. • CB PAT SURTAIN II had 5 tackles in Week 17. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC, incl. in Week 3 meeting. • CB RILEY MOSS had 3 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 2+ PD. Had 6 tackles & PD in Week 3 meeting.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Chargers 37.5
Denver Broncos – 12.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
