The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers collide in Monday Night Football, closing Week 6 in an AFC West showdown with significant divisional implications … especially for the Broncos, who are down in the standings behind a 2-3-0 straight up (SU) record and desperate to get back on track.
Russell Wilson and Co. will need to keep up with a talented Chargers offense spearheaded by Justin Herbert. They’ll need the Broncos’ league-best passing defense to step up, too., otherwise Herbert, Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen (to name a few standouts) will runaway with this game.
Below, we look at several player props that are trading, spotlighting the players that could impact the outcome of this MNF tilt, complete with the NFL odds. We’re also staying on top of the latest NFL news, injury reports, and stats to help with our NFL predictions and picks.
MNF Odds: Broncos vs Chargers Props
- Austin Ekeler Anytime Touchdown -160
- Russell Wilson Passing Touchdowns O/U 1½
- Melvin Gordon III Rushing Yards O/U 59
- Justin Herbert Passing Touchdowns O/U 1½
- Justin Herbert Total Passing Yards – O/U 261½
Austin Ekeler Anytime Touchdown
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has had 61 carries for a team-best 313 rushing yards (62.6 yards per game) and three touchdowns to his credit. He’s also scored two receiving touchdowns and 214 receiving yards on 31 receptions.
Ekeler’s performance picked up pace over the last two games, especially against the Browns in Week 5. The 27-year-old galloped for 173 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also had four receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Ekeler is a dual-threat player that appears to have sparked the Chargers offense in recent weeks, contributing to their recent run of good form. As such, he’s one to spot for an anytime touchdown in NFL prop betting.
- Pick: Ekeler Anytime TD Scorer -160
Russell Wilson Passing TDs
Wilson’s transition from the Seattle Seahawk to the Denver Broncos hasn’t been seamless or perfect to put it mildly. Then again, struggles might have been expected when everything is new. Getting to know a new coaching staff, learning a new offense and getting accustomed to new teammates takes time.
Through five games, Wilson has tossed for 1,254 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Only once did he pass for more than one touchdown – vs. the Raiders, which was the highest-scoring game for Seattle., albeit a losing effort for the Broncos and they left Sin City in defeat, 32-23.
Wilson is dealing with a shoulder injury. He’s expected to start on Monday, but if he’s not 100%, he could be challenged in the passing game. One can never quite discount Wilson, but the Under 1½ touchdowns might be the best bet for this game.
- Pick: Wilson Passing TDs Under 1½ TDs -175
Melvin Gordon III Rushing Yards
Broncos star running back Melvin Gordon III is coming off one of his most productive games, rushing for 54 yards. Only twice this season has the running back rushed for more than 50 yards. The other occasion was in Week 1 vs the Seahawks when he rushed for a season-high 57 yards.
If Wilson’s shoulder injury is worse than advertised, it could put an emphasis on the run game. That couold see Gordon, in turn, carry a bigger load this week.
- Pick: Gordon Rushing Yards Over 59 (-115)
Justin Herbert Passing Yards
Third-year quarterback Herbert is riding high in the league’s standings, third overall with 1,478 passing yards (295.6 ypg), 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. As things currently stand, his average passing yards per game is higher than the current prop bet on offer. This rather low NFL betting outlook is likely a reaction to his performance last Sunday, which saw him put up the fewest passing yards this season (228) against the Cleveland Browns. It might also be a nod to the Broncos’ passing defense, which ranks tops in the league.
That said, four of five games have seen Herbert toss for 279 yards or more. It’s not often than the elite passer is held down to lowly numbers. The Broncos defense is very good, but it hasn’t faced a quarterback quite as explosive as Herbert – yet.
- Pick: Herbert Passing Yards Over 261.5 (-115)
Herbert Passing TDs
Herbert has 10 touchdowns to his credit (2 per game). In his first two games this season, he tossed for three touchdowns versus the Raiders and Chiefs. He suffered a rib injury versus the Jaguars in Week 3 and that has slowed him down a bit. But that was more than three weeks ago now. He’s due a big game.
- Pick: Herbert Passing TDs Over 1½ (-150)
