San Diego at Denver NFL Week 8 Thursday Night Football Betting Trends

Posted by Tony Newborn on Thursday,October 23, 2014 6:36, EDT in

After an unexpected loss last weekend, the San Diego Super Chargers (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) will challenge the AFC West leaders, Denver Broncos (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS), this Thursday Night at 8:30 PM ET at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High, in the opening game of the NFL week 8.

San Diego dropped their second game of the season, and first at home, against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend with a 23-20 result. In the six games the Chargers have played this season they failed to reach at least 30 points in three of them, two of those ended in losses. Does that point towards an “if the under then the Broncos” bet?

Denver put on a show on Sunday Night Football trashing the San Francisco 49ers 42-17 as QB Peyton Manning set a new record for all-time touchdowns thrown after he recorded four in three-quarters.

The Chargers have failed to cover the spread in their last two games after they started the season 5-0 against the spread, and the Broncos have covered in the last two outings.

The NFL betting odds listed the Broncos as 7.5 point favorites for this game, which is awfully high considering both teams are amongst the best in the NFL.

Historical Betting Trends?

The Broncos won two of the three meetings (including playoffs) in 2013, but lost their regular season home meeting against the Chargers on a Thursday Night. San Diego QB Philip Rivers threw for just 166 yards and 2 TDs without a pick. The difference maker was the running game for the Super Chargers which posted 177 yards, and dominated the ball possession 38:49 to 21:11.

Rivers Vs Manning Betting Trends

The Chargers and the Broncos could be more similar that most people realize as both teams pass the ball down the field well but struggle running the ball.

Rivers is having an MVP season with 1,961 yards, 17 TDs, and just three interceptions and leads the sixth best passing offense in the NFL. Their achilles’ heel is the Chargers have the third worst offense rushing the ball in the league, averaging 89.3 rushing yards per game.

Manning’s numbers are just as good with 1,848 yards, 19 TDs and 3 INTs as he leads the third best passing offense in the NFL. The Broncos are 25th in rushing yards this season, and as the Chargers, their average doesn’t get to the 100 yards a game (95.2 YPG).

Head-to-Head Betting Trends

Chargers QB Philip Rivers has faced the Denver Broncos 17 times, winning 10 of those meetings with 27 TDs and 13 INTs in the regular season. Since Peyton Manning arrived to the Broncos, Rivers has won only once in five meetings including the playoffs divisional loss last season.

Broncos QB Peyton Manning is 7-4 against the Chargers in the regular season with 24 TDs and 19 INTs. The Chargers are the team with the second most interceptions on Manning, just behind the New England Patriots.

Against The Spread Betting Trends

The Broncos are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in October.

The Chargers are Chargers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games, 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games and 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.