What time is the NFL game today? Schedule, TV Channel, kick-off time, and How to watch Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are 2-point favorites over the Broncos.

What time is the NFL game today? Schedule, TV Channel, kick-off time, and How to watch Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Jarrett Stidham and Easton Stick (Image via IMAGO)

The Los Angeles Chargers will travel to Empower Field on Sunday, December 31, to face the Denver Broncos. It’s a crucial AFC West tie for the Broncos, who could jump to the second spot in the division with a win. It will be the 128th regular-season meeting between the two teams.

However, the biggest setback Denver players quickly have to shake off is the loss of quarterback Russell Wilson. The Broncos decided to bench the veteran Super Bowl winner. In place of Wilson, 27-year-old backup Jarrett Stidham will start his first game in Denver. The journeyman has only played one game for them this season.

It’s more of the same for the Chargers. Their starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, is out for the rest of the season. Herbert’s deputy, Easton Stick, played the last three games, and one of them was against the Denver Broncos. In Week 14, these two teams met in LA, which was a comfortable 24-7 victory for the visitors. Stick had 13 completions for 179 yards.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

  • Game: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
  • Day: Sunday, December 31
  • Time: 4:25 p.m. ET (3:20 p.m. CT)
  • Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

The Sunday, December 31, game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers will take place at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado, at 1:25 p.m. ET (12:20 p.m. CT).

What time is the NFL game today? Schedule, TV Channel, kick-off time, and How to watch Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler (Image via Sky Sports)

What channel is Sunday Night Football on tonight?

TV:

  • Game: Broncos vs. Chargers
  • Date: Sunday, November 31
  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Play-by-play: Tom McCarthy
  • Color Analyst: James Lofton, Jay Feely
  • Sideline Reporter: Tracy Wolfson/ Tiffany Blackmon

Radio:

ALT FM-98.7 is called by Matt “Money” Smith, analyst Daniel Jeremiah, and sideline reporter Shannon Farren.

NFL live streaming for the Sunday night game

Those looking to watch the Denver Broncos vs. the Los Angeles Chargers on the go and any portable device of their choice can tune into DAZN, FUBO TV, and the CBS Sports app.

NFL Odds and Betting Lines for the Denver Broncos vs. the Los Angeles Chargers

According to FanDuel Sports Book, the Los Angeles Chargers are two-point favorites to win against the Denver Broncos.

  • Moneyline (ML): Chargers +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Broncos -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Chargers +3.5 (-110) | Broncos -3.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 36.5 (O: -114, U: -106)

Predicted line-up for Broncos vs. Chargers

Denver Broncos:

Offense: Jarrett Stidham, Jaleel McLaughlin, Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Michael Burton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Adam Trautman

Defense: Alex Singleton, P.J. Locke, Patrick Surtain II, Justin Simmons, Jonathon Cooper, Josey Jewell, D.J. Jones, Zach Allen, Drew Sanders, Baron Browning, and Fabian Moreau

Place Kicker: Wil Lutz

Los Angeles Chargers:

Offense: Easton Stick, Austin Ekeler, Derius Davis, Gerald Everett, Alex Erickson, Quentin Johnston, and Jalen Guyton

Defense: Derwin James Jr., Tuli Tuipulotu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Austin Johnson, Michael Davis, Khalil Mack, Nick Williams, Kenneth Murray Jr., Nick Williams, Eric Kendricks, and Alohi Gilman

Place Kicker: Cameron Dicker

Jerry Jeudy
Jerry Jeudy (Image via Sky Sports)

Why can the Denver Broncos win?

It will be a tricky situation inside Empower. Denver is currently split over whether head coach Sean Payton made the correct call by benching Russell Wilson. For them, it’s a must-win game on two fronts.

First, it will boost their chances of playing post-season football. And second, the win will give the fans some assurance that the Broncos do have a good enough squad to win without the nine-time Pro Bowler on the team.

The Denver Broncos completed an average of 376.2 yards per game in 2023. They have scored 43 touchdowns. Both of these stats place Payton’s side in the bottom half of the league when Wilson is playing. But how Stidham will handle the situation is anyone’s guess.

There’s not enough recent data to predict his plays. However, what the Chargers do have to keep an eye on is the Broncos third-down clutch moments. They boast the second-best 3rd down defense in the league.

Why can the Los Angeles Chargers win?

Despite the 5-10 record in 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers have done well offensively. They are smacked down in the middle of the pile on almost every offensive statistic. In their last game, they came face-to-face against a good Buffalo Bills side and registered 22 points. Stick had 23 completions for 215 yards and 7 carries for 25 yards with a rushing touchdown.

The Chargers are missing their main target, Keenan Allen, so most of the groundwork would once again be done by All-Pro running back Austin Ekeler, who had 15 carries for 65 yards in the Bills game. But the Chargers have the 24th-best rushing offense. They only averaged 95.9 yards per game and have scored only 11.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers: last three results

Broncos 24–7 Chargers [December 10, 2023]

Chargers 28-31 Broncos [January 8, 2023]

Broncos 16-19 Chargers [October 17, 2022]

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