The Chargers may be winless, but nobody in Denver is treating them like a soft landing spot. Los Angeles still has real talent, and the Broncos know this game at SoFi Stadium will come down to whether they can handle the Chargers’ few dangerous pieces while attacking the obvious weak spots.
On offense, the first name to circle is Oronde Gadsden II. Quentin Johnston would have filled this spot, but he was ruled out on Friday, forcing a change of plans. Gadsden brings the kind of receiving ability that can cause real problems for linebackers and safeties, and his role in the Chargers’ offense still isn’t fully settled.
That uncertainty could help Denver, especially with how the Broncos have recently dealt with tight ends. Tackling has been an issue, and the recent Travis Kelce and George Kittle touchdowns are the kind of reminders that stick.
Even with that in mind, the Broncos can’t just ignore Gadsden. Vance Joseph will need a plan for him, particularly after some of the plays he made against Denver a year ago, when the Chargers’ offense was operating at a much higher level.
Another place Denver should attack is the interior of the Chargers’ offensive line, where Zion Johnson Strange has been a problem. Since entering the NFL, he has struggled, and this season has followed the same script. He’s been the weak link in the Chargers’ run game, allowed nine pressures, and been flagged four times.
That kind of performance gives the Broncos a clear edge up front. With Zach Allen and the rest of Denver’s defensive line, this has the look of a game where Malcolm Roach or Eyioma Uwazurike can make noise.
Even if that doesn’t happen, Allen is set up for another big day. The Chargers are dealing with a beaten-up offensive line and are missing three starters, which leaves Denver with no excuse not to control the trenches and create negative plays against Strange.
Defensively, the Chargers do have a corner who can make life annoying for opposing quarterbacks. Donte Jackson Still has the size, length and athleticism to line up against just about any type of receiver, and his versatility makes him tough to map. He can also steal the ball if you challenge him.
But Still brings risk, too. He is aggressive when attacking the ball, which can open the door to explosive plays if Denver is careful about how it attacks him. He hasn’t picked off a pass this season, has four interceptions in his career, all in 2024, and has only two pass breakups, both coming in Week 4.
The second level of the Chargers’ defense is another area Denver can target, especially with Denzel Perryman out. Troy Dye Phillips has been playing a lot more because of that absence, and it has left a hole for Los Angeles. Daiyan Henley is a strong linebacker, but he has been trying to clean up the mess Phillips leaves behind while Perryman is sidelined.
Phillips is the kind of lighter downhill linebacker who can be exposed in the run game, and he’s also a liability in coverage. That opens a lane for Denver to create matchups against him with RJ Harvey, Evan Engram or a receiver and look for chances to make him pay.
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Brandon Jones Is Suddenly Central To A Broncos Test Fans Feel
Brandon Jones has quickly gone from a presence in the Broncos secondary to one of its most important stabilizers. The safety has returned after missing time with a torn pectoral muscle, and he has settled back in beside Talanoa Hufanga with the kind of physical, reliable tackling that has made him stand out. Jones leads Denvers defensive backs in solo tackles, a reminder of how much the Broncos have leaned on him in the middle of the field.
The workload figures to get heavier against the Chargers, where Denver will be without Pat Surtain and Riley Moss. With both cornerbacks ruled out, Jones and Hufanga are suddenly facing a far larger share of the responsibility behind the front seven, and the Broncos ability to hold up in coverage may hinge on how much of that burden those two can absorb. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos' Tight End Problem Could Spark A Bold Sean Payton Move
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A move like that would not come cheap, which is part of what makes the idea feel more like a long-view possibility than an immediate one. If Detroit were to stumble before the 2026 trade deadline, the Broncos could at least have a reason to check the market and see whether LaPorta becomes available. Until then, it is the sort of premium-position speculation that hangs over a team still searching for a lasting solution in the middle of its passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Face One Clear Issue In Getting More Out Of Bo Nix
Denvers offense has spent the first four weeks of the 2026 season searching for a rhythm, and the running game has been the clearest place where the Broncos have fallen short. Bo Nix has tended to look better when the ground attack is doing its part, but the support system around him has been too inconsistent for the offense to settle in. The Broncos have been building toward a friendlier stretch of opponents, which at least gives the staff a chance to see whether a more balanced approach can finally take hold.
What makes the next few weeks interesting is the possibility that the backfield gets a needed jolt when Jonah Coleman returns to the lineup. The rookies presence could give Denver another way to take pressure off Nix and make the passing game easier to function, especially if the rushing attack can finally offer some real stability. For a team that has been stuck waiting for its offense to catch up with its defense, that remains the clearest issue to watch. [Read more 🡒]