With most shops sitting Chargers ‑2.5, Tuley teased Denver to +8.5/+9. He views the matchup as a measuring stick for his preseason Broncos-to-make-playoffs ticket and expects a tight AFC West battle. If contest lines hit +3 he may also play Denver straight, but the teaser is his official position.

Everett laid 2.5 with the Chargers, projecting another big afternoon from Justin Herbert against a Broncos team he already swept last season. Herbert gets a rookie counterpart in Bo Nix, who is averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt with three interceptions. Even though L.A. must improve its rushing attack, Everett trusts the passing edge and the Chargers’ pass rush in their home opener to secure a two-score victory.

Bender backed Los Angeles –2.5, leaning on two trends: Justin Herbert’s reliable production against Denver last season (260.5 yards per game, 3 TDs, 1 INT) and Jim Harbaugh’s 5-1 ATS record as a home favorite with the Chargers. He sees the Bolts’ quick-hitting passing game exploiting a Broncos defense that just surrendered 21 fourth-quarter points at Indy. Predicted score: 21-18 Chargers.

Dabbundo laid the 2.5 with Los Angeles, noting that Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman have finally unleashed Justin Herbert. The Chargers lead the NFL in early-down pass rate in first halves, and Herbert’s efficiency spike suggests last year’s rib injury was a bigger drag than realized. Keenan Allen’s return plus rookie Ladd McConkey give him multiple separators. On the other side, Denver’s vaunted defense just allowed Indianapolis to move the ball without a single punt while a hobbled Patrick Surtain II was repeatedly targeted. Shane Steichen also cooked LB Alex Singleton in coverage, a weakness Roman can duplicate with Allen and the backs. L.A. hung 20 first-half points and 34 in the rematch versus Denver last year; Dabbundo expects a similar script and trusts Herbert to cover a short number.

With Kansas City stumbling, Cluff noted the AFC West is "there for the taking." He picked LA 27-21, fading a Denver defense that just allowed a big day to Indianapolis. The write-up points to Herbert props and Chargers -3 at home.

Giannotto summarized Rotowire’s bearish angle on Herbert: Denver led the league in every major pass-rush metric last year and just posted six sacks in Week 2. With LT Rashawn Slater (hamstring) ruled out, Los Angeles’ protection finally faces a front capable of exposing its depth. Rotowire projects a low-scoring slog (DEN 20-17), making Herbert unders and a Broncos +2.5 ticket attractive. Giannotto notes the Chargers have covered only once in six games as a home favorite under Jim Harbaugh when allowing four or more sacks.