NFL TNF Anytime Touchdown Scorer Predictions: Broncos vs Chargers-Who Will Score on Thursday, December 19?

NFL Week 16 has arrived, and we have another Thursday night football matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers.

(Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

AFC West division rivals, both the Broncos and Chargers are on the fringe of playoff content. With that said, as the no. 6 and no. 7 seed in the AFC, bettors can expect a fairly competitive game tonight.

In this article, I will provide my three best anytime touchdown scorer predictions for TNF! That said, there's a mix of receiver and running back player props. With an NFL betting record of 37-31, I am up over 8 units in December!

If you decide to tail my bets, I usually put very few units or spare change on these plays. A high-risk, high-reward type of bet, let's stay hot!

Hopefully this week, there will be at least one touchdown. As we saw last Thursday, it was a low scoring affair. Let's take a look at my top scoring predictions for Thursday, December 19.

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NFL TNF Broncos vs Chargers Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 16: Quentin Johnston

Quentin Johnston Anytime TD Odds: +230 (FanDuel)

`2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 12  | Receptions: 34 | Targets: 63 | Receiving Yards: 459 | Avg: 13.5| Rec TD: 8 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 66 | First Down: 21

My first anytime touchdown scorer prediction, I placed one-quarter of a unit on Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston to find the end zone.

Justin Herbert remains sidelined with an ankle injury, and was limited in Tuesday's practice. With that said, I'll bank on Herbert suiting up tonight.

No Keenan Allen, no problem. Aside from Ladd McConkey, Johnston has emerged as Herberts favorite red zone target. The clear no. 2 option behind McConkey, Johnston leads all Chargers Receivers with 8 touchdowns this season.

With two touchdowns in December alone, we saw Johnston find the end zone in two consecutive weeks vs the Buccaneers and Chiefs.

• With three touchdowns in the last five weeks, Johnston is a safe play for +230 odds.

Quentin Johnston Has Been A Walking Touchdown For Justin Herbert

Although Tampa Bay exposed the Chargers defense, we saw Johnston attract a season high 10 targets. While the yardage production just hasn't been there (38.25 YPG), the receiver has impressive route runs and speed. As we saw last week, he torched the Buccaneers defense and broke the tackle up the middle for the touchdown.

There's no denying Herbert and Johnston have intense chemistry in the end zone. McConkey may be the "go to" player for receiving yards. However, Johnston leads all LA receivers with a 34.8 % target percentage. With both receivers notching four touchdowns a piece inside the 20, it's Johnston that leads all receivers with 9.2 yards per reception in that area.

There's no doubt the Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing the fewest touchdowns to receivers on the season (7). While teams draw a ton of targets, the Broncos allow the 10th most receptions overall to wideouts.

• There is a plus, they are more forgiving to outside than slot receivers.

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Quentin Johnston ATS (+230 FanDuel)

Ahead of tonight's TNF matchup, there are several defensive lineman that are questionable to suit up. With D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, and Riley Moss all listed as questionable, the Chargers may get their way. Either way, it will be a tall task for the Chargers, especially since the Broncos rank no. 1 in the NFL in defensive dropback EPA. Even worse, they are second in dropback sack rate.

With Johnston likely opposite of Patrick Surtain II, I don't expect a ton of volume yards wise. Coincidently, the Chargers and Broncos are a top 1-2 punch in opponent red zone scoring percentage. As we saw in their previous matchup this year, Johnston was mainly a non factor with 22 yards. However, look for those short middle throws from Herbert.

Over the last three games, we've seen Denver allow 1.7 passing touchdowns to the Colts, Browns, and Raiders. Not allowing a single touchdown to the Colts, the Browns certainly did some damage the week prior. Allowing three receiving touchdowns to Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Nick Chubb was highly uncharacteristic of Denver.

• It may be a long shot. However, I'm predicting Quentin Johnston to score a touchdown Thursday. Given it's plus money, the wideout has five touchdowns in the last seven games. 

NFL TNF Broncos vs Chargers Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 16: Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton Anytime TD Odds: +150 (FanDuel)

`2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 14 | Receptions: 66 | Targets: 113| Receiving Yards: 878 | Avg: 13.3| Rec TD: 6 | Rush TD: 0 | Long Rec: 37 | First Down: 46

My second anytime touchdown scorer prediction, I sprinkled one unit on Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton to find the end zone vs the Chargers on Thursday.

With rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center, Sutton is the clear cut no. 1 option for Nix. Leading the Broncos in yards (878), targets (113), and receptions (66), Sutton leads the way with 6 touchdowns. Considered one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, he's been hampered by injuries in the past.

Now he's a main reason why the Broncos have a 9-5 record. Although their defense is elite, there's no denying the Nix to Sutton connection.

At plus money for +150 odds, Sutton is coming off a touchdown bomb vs the Colts. With four touchdowns in the last five weeks, we saw the receiver tally two alone vs the Raiders. Let's just say the departure of Jerry Jeudy has been a positive for Sutton. While mainly quiet, he saved himself with a 20 yard touchdown late last week.

Are The Chargers Frauds On The Defensive Side?

If we look at the head-to-head, Sutton crossed the goal line for 53 yards vs the Chargers back on October 13. With Devaughn Vale leading the way yards wise, Troy Franklin additionally found the end zone as well.

While it was Nix who connected with Sutton on a 15-yard bomb in the 4th quarter, Denver came up short. If you're a bettor, there's some optimism for this pick. Here's why.

Scoring the 12th most red zone touchdowns in the NFL, this is a Denver team that's scoring nearly 60 % in red zone opportunities. No. 10 in the NFL in passing touchdowns (21), they do face a Chargers defense that allows the lowest touchdowns inside the 20 (14).

However, the Chargers defense has been questionable as of late, allowing the Buccaneers to put up 41 points. Let's face it, Baker Mayfield truly exposed the defensive holes with four touchdowns. Two of which went to Mike Evans.

The Chargers, along with the Broncos may allow the least amount of points per game (17.6), however, their defense against receivers isn't stellar.

• In fact, the Charges allow the 5th most touchdowns to wideouts (16), which equals out to 1.1 per game, along with 150.4 average receiving yards.

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Courtland Sutton ATS (+150 FanDuel)

With that said, the Chargers are banged up, and have an increasing list of injuries on the defensive end. With Cam Hart and Elijah Molden listed as questionable, can the Chargers secondary hold up? Additionally,  Otito Ogbonnia and Denzel Perryman are plagued by injuries.

Tonight, the Chargers get the Broncos at home, which brings a unique stat line to the surface in itself. Allowing the third most passing touchdowns per game in the NFL at home with 1.7, Denver is averaging 2 passing tuddies over the last three games.

Compiling 139 points over the last four weeks, that's an average of 34.75 points per game for Denver. With Nix feeding three different receivers vs the Colts, he's thrown 10 touchdowns in the last four weeks.

Overall, Sutton leads the Broncos receiving core with five red zone touchdowns with an overwhelming 45.2 % target percentage. With 42.8 % of the team air yards, Sutton is averaging 105.9 air yards per game.

• One of my strongest predictions and best bets in this article, I'm predicting Courtland Sutton to score a touchdown Thursday. 

NFL TNF Broncos vs Chargers Anytime Touchdown Scorer Prediction for Week 16: Gus Edwards

Gus Edwards Anytime TD Odds: +150 (FanDuel)

2024-2025 NFL Stats

GP: 10  | Carries: 87| Rushing Yards: 297 | Avg Rushing: 3.4 | Rush TD: 2 | Rec TD: 1 | Rush Long: 12 | First Down: 14

My third anytime touchdown scorer prediction, I sprinkled spare change on Chargers running back Gus Edwards to score a touchdown for +150 odds vs the Broncos. Since taking over for the injured J.K. Dobbins, Edwards has underperformed. With two touchdowns on the year, the back has tallied just one touchdown in the absence of Dobbins.

With that said, Edwards has recorded two touchdowns in the last four weeks vs the Chiefs and Ravens. I'll be quick to point out, Kansas City and Baltimore are no slouches on the defensive end. In fact, both teams rank top three in opponent rushing yards per game.

There's no doubt losing Dobbins is hurting the Chargers offense. In addition, Edwards isn't a back that will gain a ton of yards per carry (3.4). Managing to make due, Edwards is the only viable RB1 option moving forward.

Yet to crack over 55 rushing yards since November 10, Edwards is coming off an underwhelming 23 yards rushing performance.  Ranked 16h in red zone scoring percentage (55.56 %), the Chargers are much more efficient at home.

• Putting up 1.1 rushing touchdowns in home games, the Chargers are middle of the road in rushing touchdowns (16).

Final Anytime Touchdown NFL TNF betting prediction: Gus Edwards ATS (+150 FanDuel)

While I won't be the first to admit the Chargers need to improve inside the 20, he'll have a tough challenge vs the Broncos. After all, Denver allows the second least running touchdowns on the season with 7. Given J.K. Dobbins cracked the Broncos for a touchdown on 96 yards, I don't think Edwards will repeat those numbers.

With a 4 yard run to give the Chargers a 20-0 lead at the half, I'll sprinkle some spare change on Edwards to follow in Dobbin's footsteps. With the amount of injuries and question marks, Edwards already has two inside the 20 alone. Although not a receiving back, Edwards has out performed Dobbins on the year with 3.3 yards per cary in the red zone.

Given the Broncos rank no. 4 in rush EPA, perhaps injuries will play a significant factor for Denver.

• For what it's worth odds wise, I'm predicting Gus Edwards to score a touchdown Thursday night.