Your Denver Broncos sit at 2-2.
Yet based on most of the commentary following the loss to the San Francisco 49ers, you’d think the Broncos are 0-4. Nope, but that’s the current state of affairs for Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.
That’s who’s on the docket for Bo Nix and Denver this Sunday. And much like the season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Broncos will look to rebound in Week 5 in LA.
Denver is the current -3.5-point road favorite
over the Chargers at FanDuel Sportsbook. The total sits at over/under 42.5 points, with a lean toward the over at -112.
Offensive Rankings
LA Chargers: Twenty-first in total offense (306.8 yards per game), ninth in rushing offense (121.5 YPG), 24th in passing offense (185.3 YPG), 29th in scoring offense (16.8 points per game).
Denver: Twenty-seventh in total offense (280.3 yards per game), 29th in rushing offense (81.3 YPG), 20th in passing offense (199 YPG), 27th in scoring offense (18.5 points per game).
Defensive Rankings
LA Chargers: Sixteenth in total defense (333.5 yards per game), 22nd in rushing defense (121.8 YPG), 14th in passing defense (211.8 YPG), 24th in scoring defense (26.5 points per game).
Denver: Twenty-eighth in total defense (375.0 yards per game), 29th in rushing defense (142.8 YPG), 21st in passing defense (232.3 YPG), 17th in scoring defense (23.5 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Control the line of scrimmage on offense
This is probably the biggest cliche when it comes to football, but it’s the truth. And goes back to the sport’s beginning. For Nix and the Broncos to have success on offense, the offensive line needs to control the line of scrimmage. Whether it’s run blocking or protecting Nix in the passing game, or “opening the playbook,” the guys up front must set the tone on Sunday. — Ian St. Clair
Dial up the heat on Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert has had a rough start to his 2026 season. He has more interceptions (six) compared to touchdowns (four) and has made a lot of bad decisions. With several key injuries to the secondary, the Broncos need their defensive front seven to rattle Herbert early and often. The Chargers have allowed twelve sacks in four games and could be without both their left tackle and left guard on Sunday. If Denver’s pass rush can force Herbert into bad decisions and cause turnovers, I really like Denver’s chances of earning its third victory of the season. — Christopher Hart
Open up the offense
I’m less interested in run/pass splits if the offense is moving the ball, but a key component of moving the ball is variety and dictating to the defense. If the run game is sucking up the linebackers, hit some play action leaks or digs and crossers behind them. Don’t be afraid to push the ball down the field. Shell coverage and two-high safeties aren’t a magic bullet and automatic check down. Go watch Dak Prescott dropping hole shots vs 2-man. It’s possible. The QB and OC just need to be on the same page and aggressive with the plan. You can’t win football games with screens and swings. Challenge the defense and dictate to them. — Jeffrey Essary
Hunt with the football
As Tim Jenkins likes to say, “Hunt with the football.” This is what I want to start seeing Bo Nix do in games. The Broncos have too much speed at wide receiver not to be taking shots downfield. The checkdowns work out a lot, but they stop working when teams don’t think you’ll put a dagger through the heart of their defense with chunk plays. — Tim Lynch
Score more points than LA
Advanced analytics show the Broncos are 2-0 when they score more points than their opponent and 0-2 when they do not. If they can score more points than the Chargers, my advanced analytical formula concludes that they have a 100% chance of winning and improving to 3-2. Pretty simple if you ask me! — Scotty Payne
