Greg Cote's Thursday night NFL pick

Greg Cote, Miami Herald on Dec 18, 2024

Published in Football

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GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 16 THURSDAY PICK

BRONCOS (9-5) at CHARGERS (8-6)

Line: LAC by 3.

Cote’s pick: DEN, 23-18.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

[Playoff status: DEN reaches first postseason since 2015 with a win; LAC can also clinch with a win if IND and MIA both lose Sunday.] This isn’t quite the high-stakes game suggested by the preceding, though, because the losing team here, no matter which, will remain in solid shape to still end up in the AFC playoffs. Hardly must-win here, in other words — but still a quality rivalry to uncork Week 16. Chargers beat Broncos 23-16 in October but will have trouble repeating. Bolts are on a 1-3 skid largely because their run-game mostly left with J.K. Dobbins’ season-ending injury. That’s made it tougher on Justin Herbert, who will now likely be playing through an aggravated ankle injury. Denver behind rookie Bo Nix has rolled up 139 points in its four-game win streak. LAC’s defense will be a stiffer test ... but Broncos’ D is just as good. What’s it spell? Upset! [Disclaimer: My instinct was to like Chargers but I sort of logic-ed my way to Broncos. Rarely change my mind like that. Bad sign?]

(Betting line courtesy ESPNBet as of early-afternoon Tuesday.)

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