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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 18

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates scoring a touchdown with tight end Tyler Davis (84) against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of their game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Picks; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates scoring a touchdown with tight end Tyler Davis (84) against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of their game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Picks; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) celebrates after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) at Denver Broncos (4-12)

Sunday, January 8, 4:25 PM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers are going to the playoffs for the first time in Justin Herbert’s NFL career, and you can’t help but be excited about that. Simply for entertainment purposes, the Chargers being in the playoffs is very good for the NFL. Herbert is one of the league’s biggest stars, but he’s unfortunately not treated the same way by major media outlets as someone like Patrick Mahomes, and really for no good reason.

Herbert may not do no-look passes every week. He may not be completing passes to himself. What he is doing on a weekly basis is making ridiculous throws to every level of the field and his team is playing some really good football down the stretch.

And “team” is key there. It’s not just Herbert carrying the Chargers and proving unable to do so. It’s Austin Ekeler racking up over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 18 total touchdowns just one year after racking up over 1,500 with 20 total touchdowns. He eclipsed 100 receptions on the season and has proven himself to be one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the game.

Speaking of weapons, the Chargers boast a balanced group of skill players and they have gotten healthy at the right time. They go into Denver this weekend to face off against the Broncos who are now being led by interim head coach Jerry Rosburg.

After getting blown out on Christmas, the Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett and turned the operation over to Rosburg. He had the team playing very well in Kansas City this past weekend so we have no reason to believe the Broncos are just going to roll over in this game. We also don’t really know what the Chargers are playing for this week. They will be no better than the 5th seed in the AFC, and perhaps that’s something they really covet.

Unfortunately, we don’t know what the fifth seed would mean in terms of a second-round matchup. It would likely give the Chargers a round-one matchup against the AFC South champion Jaguars, however.

The NFL playoffs are going to be fun.

I think for this week, this will be my upset pick of the week. The Broncos don’t yet have a win against a divisional opponent this year, and they’ve sort of had Herbert’s number since he came into the league.

Prediction: Broncos win 24-21 (upset pick of the week)

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