Best NFL Player Prop Picks for TNF: Broncos vs. Chargers - Thursday, 12/19

Per usual, the new NFL week kicks off with a divisional rivalry on Thursday Night Football. This time, it’s the AFC West rivalry with the Denver Broncos heading just a bit west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. With these teams separated by just one game in the standings, we’ve got our best NFL TNF player prop picks for you.
Better yet, we’ve added on top of our best bets with other popular Broncos vs. Chargers player props plus a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook new user bonus!
Best NFL Thursday Night Football Player Prop Picks
Not only are divisional rivalry games often difficult to predict, but with a point spread of exactly a field - a very key value - we know many fans will be preferring NFL TNF player prop picks for Week 16.
The last matchup between these teams was decided by a touchdown, with the Chargers coming out victorious. However, they now find themselves a game behind the Broncos in the win-loss column, which is pivotal for the AFC Wild Card race. These are two teams built around defense, so navigating the Broncos vs. Chargers player props is quite a unique prospect, but we’ve been able to find two great spots for you!
Broncos vs. Chargers Player Props: Bo Nix Under 5.5 Carries (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
We’re going to start our NFL TNF player prop picks with an under, so while it may not be the most fun play to root for, we take the value where we see it. It’s also a somewhat unique market to target, but Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix has been interesting to monitor in terms of rushing.
The Oregon product has been more than capable of using his legs, but it comes in spurts. This is a situation of getting the best of the number, as previous factors have this value higher than it otherwise would be.
Firstly, he led the team in rushing this past Sunday by carrying the ball eight times, but it was for just 23 yards. That’s as poor as it gets against an Indianapolis Colts team that was one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. The other factor is that Nix led the team in rushing against the Chargers back in Week 6.
So, why are we focusing our NFL TNF player prop picks on the under? Well, we feel it’s inflated due to last Sunday’s value, and we expect the Chargers to adjust. Not only do they know to adjust things based on the last meeting but given how Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield had two crucial scrambles just the other day, they absolutely have to.
It’s time for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to prove his worth and help the first of our NFL TNF player prop picks of Bo Nix under 5.5 carries (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook) hit for us.
Broncos vs. Chargers Player Prop Bets: Gus Edwards Over 9.5 Carries (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
Ok, now it’s time to add an over to our NFL TNF player prop picks. In that regard, we’re focused on the LA side of the matchup, and instead of a QB, we’re targeting the RB position. When these teams met earlier in the year, we saw LA RB JK Dobbins have a whopping 25 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Well, the former Baltimore Raven is currently injured, which he is no stranger to. Backup RB Gus Edwards, who is also a former Raven, is now the bell cow. We see some great value here, like Nix, thanks to last Sunday’s result.
The Gus Bus received just eight carries; however, the game script is important here. The Chargers were trailing and needed QB Justin Herbert to toss the rock to try and keep up rather than running out the clock. On top of that, the team can also look back at the Broncos recent victory.
While Denver took down the Indianapolis Colts, they allowed RB Jonathan Taylor to rush for 107 yards on 22 carries. If he hadn’t dropped the ball prior to crossing the goal line in one of the biggest not-top plays of the week, his stat line would look even rougher for the Broncos.
Along with Herbert simply having fewer outside weapons these days, we love adding to our NFL TNF player prop picks with Gus Edwards over 9.5 carries (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook).
Thursday Night Football Player Props At BetMGM Sportsbook
We mentioned that we’d also have other popular Broncos vs. Chargers player props alongside our NFL TNF player prop picks, so here are some top lines at BetMGM Sportsbook:
Passing Yards:
- Bo Nix: Over 224.5 (-115) vs. Under 224.5 (-115)
- Justin Herbert: Over 235.5 (-115) vs. Under 235.5 (-115)
Rushing Yards:
- Bo Nix: Over 17.5 (-120) vs. Under 17.5 (-110)
- Gus Edwards: Over 37.5 (-110) vs. Under 37.5 (-120)
Receiving Yards:
- Courtland Sutton: Over 67.5 (-115) vs. Under 67.5 (-115)
- Quentin Johnston: Over 43.5 (-115) vs. Under 43.5 (-115)
- Ladd McConkey: Over 66.5 (-120) vs. Under 66.5 (-110)
Anytime TD Scorer:
- Gus Edwards: +110
- Ladd McConkey: +145
- Courtland Sutton: +175
- Javonte Williams: +180
- Quentin Johnston: +220
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.