Ricky Dimon
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Week 16 in the 2024 NFL season kicks off with a huge AFC West showdown between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. It has no ramifications in the division, of course, with the Kansas City Chiefs having already clinched – but the wild-card implications are massive. Denver comes in at 9-5, while Los Angeles is 1 game behind at 8-6. Both teams would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which get underway at 8:15 pm ET on Prime Video. Also be sure to check out our full Broncos vs Chargers predictions.
Chargers -2.5 (-115)
Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown (+160)
Courtland Sutton to score a touchdown (+185)
Parlay odds: +1000
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Los Angeles receiver Ladd McConkey scoring a touchdown would obviously work well with a win and cover for the Chargers. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Denver receiver Courtland Sutton to also find the endzone. But even if he does, there is no reason why the home team can’t take care of business. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Chargers -2.5 (-115)
The Chargers have already defeated the Broncos once this season, so a sweep would give them the tiebreaker in the wild-card race. Although both teams will probably make the playoffs when it’s all said and done, that’s still a factor worth noting. And it’s a feat I think head coach Jim Harbaugh’s club can accomplish. If L.A. can win in Denver, why can’t it ge the job done at home? It is true that the Bolts did not play well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week, but it’s not like the Broncos looked great in a victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Bo Nix threw 3 interceptions and Denver really prevailed only because Indy committed 5 turnovers. The Broncos amassed a mere 193 yards of total offense (compared to the Colts’ 310). Moreover, L.A. certainly isn’t facing an offense like Tampa Bay’s on Thursday; Indianapolis is averaging just 5.1 yards per play (23rd in the NFL).
Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown (+160)
McConkey has been outstanding as a rookie, making 63 receptions on 88 targets for 873 yards and 5 touchdowns. One of those scores came during last weekend’s loss to Tampa Bay, so he has momentum behind him going into Thursday. The former Georgia standout now faces a Denver defense that has allowed just 7 rushing TDs this season (tied for the second fewest in the league). Moreover, the Chargers’ running game has been nonexistent of late and J.K. Dobbins has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. In other words, the Chargers will be hitting the airwaves in this contest – especially in the red zone.
Courtland Sutton to score a touchdown (+185)
Sutton has been a touchdown machine in recent weeks. He has scored in 3 of the last 5 games, including a 2-TD performance last month against the Las Vegas Raiders. For the season, the SMU product has 66 catches on 113 targets for 878 yards and 6 scores. He is now going up against a Chargers defense that has surrendered 19 touchdowns through the air and a league-low 6 on the ground. Expect Sutton’s scoring binge to continue.
