Broncos Have Lots To Clean Up To Avoid Being Chargers' First Win

While the Denver Broncos carry the same 2-2 record into a Week 5 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers that they did in 2025, the vibes surrounding the team are vastly different.

The belief within the organization that this team can do special things still exists, but this team doesn’t have the same feel and buzz that it did when the Broncos went 14-3 and secured the first-round bye last season.

The defense is still solid, though much less dominant than it has been over the last several seasons and can still wreak havoc against some great offenses. Despite not recording a sack on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the Broncos have eight sacks and four interceptions through four weeks while holding QBs to a fifth-worst 81.3 QB rating; Denver is 28th in yards allowed per game (375), though.

Offensively, Denver has taken a step back with offensive coordinator Davis Webb calling the shots for head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos are 27th in yards per game (280.3) and points per game (18.5).

Penalties on both sides of the ball, but specifically against the offense, have been a major concern so far and the frequency of false starts and pre-snap calls against the Broncos needs to be addressed as we get deeper into the season.

Playing sloppy football is how you allow teams that aren’t better than yours to stay in games and ultimately steal them, and the Chargers will look to take advantage of poor play and secure their first win of the 2026 season.

Los Angeles has struggled to get anything going this year and it’s due in large part to the offensive line, which is depleted because of injuries but just wasn’t picking up enough blocks even when healthy.

QB Justin Herbert and wide receiver Ladd McConkey have been beat up, running back Omarion Hampton isn’t getting enough carries and the defense isn’t getting stops. The Chargers are 21st in yards per game (306.8) and 29th in points per game (16.8) but middle of the pack in yards allowed per game (333.5) and 24th in yards allowed per game (26.5).

Los Angeles desperately needs to put a 1 in the win column and avoid going 0-5, but the Broncos are coming off a tough loss and have a lot to prove moving forward. I expect the Broncos offense to look better in Week 5, because if it doesn’t, Webb may relinquish his play-calling duties sooner rather than later.