A 70.0 passer rating is the lowest in the NFL, and it belongs to a team with Justin Herbert at quarterback. Our Broncos vs Chargers prediction tries to work out how that happened.
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-4 and have scored 67 points. The Denver Broncos arrive 2-2, outscored by 20 themselves, with a defense that has conceded an 81.3 opponent rating but 571 rushing yards.
Broncos vs Chargers: our editor’s props
Two calls from our editor, to read next to Signal’s live numbers.
AT 
Our props
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Broncos vs Chargers: 2026 form so far
An 0-4 team that cannot throw, against a .500 team that cannot stop the run. The table sets each attack against what the opposite defense has conceded.
Broncos attack against the Chargers defense
| Per game | Broncos offense | Chargers allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 199.0 | 211.8 |
| Rushing yards | 81.2 | 121.8 |
| Yards per carry | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Passer rating | 80.4 | 92.8 |
| Touchdowns | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Third-down conversion | 39.6% | 36.5% |
| Red-zone conversion | 63.6% | 56.2% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 1.2 | 2.5 |
Chargers attack against the Broncos defense
| Per game | Chargers offense | Broncos allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 185.2 | 232.2 |
| Rushing yards | 121.5 | 142.8 |
| Yards per carry | 4.3 | 4.8 |
| Passer rating | 70.0 | 81.3 |
| Touchdowns | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| Third-down conversion | 34.6% | 47.5% |
| Red-zone conversion | 58.3% | 50.0% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Figures are season to date, across 4 games.
Denver’s 571 rushing yards conceded at 4.76 a carry is the obvious way into this game, and it is the one thing Los Angeles have done competently all season.
Broncos vs Chargers quarterback matchup
Denver rate 80.4 through the air to the Chargers’ 70.0. Both are below league average, and the Los Angeles figure is the lowest of any team this season.
| Team | Quarterback | Last game | Season to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | Bo Nix | 17/34, 186 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 73.9 rtg | 81/135, 819 yds, 5 TD, 3 INT, 80.4 rtg (4 games) |
| Chargers | Justin Herbert | 20/34, 226 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 76.3 rtg | 71/119, 816 yds, 4 TD, 6 INT, 70.6 rtg (4 games) |
Broncos vs Chargers injury report and team news
David Njoku is on injured reserve for the Chargers, thinning a receiving group already short of production.
Talanoa Hufanga has two interceptions for Denver, a share of third-most in the NFL.
Los Angeles have conceded 12 sacks, and their 70.0 passer rating is the lowest figure in the league.
How an 0-4 start happened at SoFi
Seventy. That is the Chargers’ team passer rating, the lowest in the NFL, from a side that has conceded 12 sacks and thrown for 741 yards in four games. The receiving group has been picked apart by injury and it shows in every one of those numbers.
Running the ball is what has kept them in games. Omarion Hampton has 238 rushing yards and the team averages 4.3 a carry, which against Denver’s 4.76 conceded is the matchup the Chargers will keep going back to.
Denver are not a convincing favorite. They have scored 74 points, convert 63.6% in the red zone, and have taken five sacks of their own. This is two limited offenses in a building that will not be full, and the under looks the more honest side of it.
Players to watch
- Courtland Sutton (DEN, WR): The senior target in a Denver passing game rating 80.4.
- RJ Harvey (DEN, RB): Shares a backfield against a defense conceding 3.77 a carry.
- Omarion Hampton (LAC, RB): 238 rushing yards in the Chargers’ one productive phase.
- Ladd McConkey (LAC, WR): A target in an offense with the NFL’s lowest passer rating.
How to watch Broncos vs Chargers
Kickoff is 4:05 PM ET on Sunday, October 11 at SoFi Stadium, which is 3:05 PM CT and 1:05 PM PT. CBS has the regional broadcast.
| Detail | Broncos vs Chargers |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4:05 PM ET / 3:05 PM CT / 1:05 PM PT |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| TV | CBS |
| Live stream | NFL+ / Paramount+ |
| Week | Week 5, 2026 NFL season |
Broncos vs Chargers prediction and score projection
Denver win 23-17. Neither side is convincing, but the Chargers have scored 67 points in four games and that is the harder number to overcome.
The live spread and Signal’s projected margin for this one update through the week.
Every Week 5 game, previewed
| Kickoff (ET) | Game | Our prediction | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8:15 PM | Buccaneers @ Cowboys | Cowboys 27-20 | Read |
| Sun 9:30 AM | Eagles @ Jaguars | Jaguars 24-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Bears @ Packers | Bears 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Bengals @ Dolphins | Bengals 27-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Browns @ Jets | Browns 20-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Texans @ Titans | Texans 19-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Colts @ Steelers | Steelers 21-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Raiders @ Patriots | Raiders 23-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Vikings @ Saints | Vikings 26-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Giants @ Commanders | Giants 24-17 | Read |
| Sun 4:05 PM | Broncos @ Chargers | Broncos 23-17 | You are here |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Lions @ Cardinals | Lions 27-20 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | 49ers @ Seahawks | Seahawks 24-21 | Read |
| Sun 8:20 PM | Ravens @ Falcons | Ravens 26-20 | Read |
| Mon 8:15 PM | Bills @ Rams | Bills 27-23 | Read |
Our weekly NFL picks and our NFL betting coverage carry the rest of the card. The outright markets are priced in AFC Championship odds. For the player side of this game, see NFL player props.
Broncos vs Chargers FAQ
Denver. The Broncos are 2-2; Los Angeles are 0-4 with a -39 point differential.
4:05 PM ET on Sunday, October 11, at SoFi Stadium.
A 70.0 team passer rating, the lowest in the NFL, 12 sacks conceded and 67 points scored in four games.
Run defense. They have allowed 571 rushing yards at 4.76 a carry.
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