Broncos vs Chargers predictions, graded
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers · Week 5, 2026 · Sun, Oct 11 · Final: Broncos 23, Chargers 17 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Broncos vs Chargers? Of 31 pundits with a call on record, 26 take the Broncos and 5 take the Chargers. 19 named a score; the median has the Broncos by 7. The Broncos won 23-17, so 26 of 31 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 82 out of 100.
Who the room took
31 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBroncos vs Chargers picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- CBS SportsBroncos 3, Chargers 1
- Fox Sportsall 2 Broncos
- Locked On Broncos (podcast)all 2 Broncos
- The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)all 2 Broncos
The other 21 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Broncos 17, Chargers 4.
Broncos vs Chargers score predictions
19 pundits named a score; the median call is Broncos by 7, and the final was Broncos by 6.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Ian St. ClairBroncos 27, Chargers 16Hit · 88
- Scotty PayneBroncos 27, Chargers 13Hit · 81
- SadaraineBroncos 34, Chargers 17Close · 74
- Mile High Report staffBroncos 29, Chargers 16Hit · 83
- Chris HartBroncos 27, Chargers 17Hit · 90
- Adam MalnatiBroncos 33, Chargers 12Close · 64
- Tim LynchBroncos 24, Chargers 20Hit · 95
- Gennaro FiliceBroncos 23, Chargers 16Hit · 98
- Brooke CersosimoBroncos 27, Chargers 24Hit · 93
- Bobby KownackBroncos 21, Chargers 17Hit · 95
- Jeremy PargoBroncos 17, Chargers 13Hit · 95
- Dan ParrBroncos 24, Chargers 20Hit · 95
- Pamela MaldonadoBroncos 20, Chargers 17Hit · 93
- Eric MoodyBroncos 21, Chargers 20Hit · 88
- Seth WalderBroncos 27, Chargers 18Hit · 93
- Jordan DajaniBroncos 27, Chargers 20Hit · 98
- Tyler SullivanBroncos 26, Chargers 20Hit · 100
- Pete PriscoChargers 23, Broncos 17Close · 50
- John BreechBroncos 27, Chargers 20Hit · 98
Broncos at Chargers: how they came in
The Broncos are 2-2; the Chargers are 0-4 and have lost 4 straight. It is a division game. On win totals, 15 pundits put the Broncos at 10.9 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Chargers at 8.1 wins on average.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California · Division game
- Record coming in
- 2-2 · 74 scored, 94 allowed
- Last games
- L 14-24 at 49ers Week 4
- W 30-26 vs Rams Week 3
- W 20-13 vs Jaguars Week 2
- Unit ranks
- offense 24th, defense 7th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 14-3
- Win-total calls
- 15 pundits · average 10.9 · 9.5 to 13 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 2 of 4 Broncos games
- Record coming in
- 0-4 · lost 4 straight · 67 scored, 106 allowed
- Last games
- L 23-30 at Seahawks Week 4
- L 16-24 at Bills Week 3
- L 14-26 vs Raiders Week 2
- Unit ranks
- offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 11-6
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 8.1 · 2 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 2 of 4 Chargers games
Broncos and Chargers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Broncos
- Bo NixStarting QB · QB
1,730 passing yards · 11 TD, 4 INT · 60.6% completions · 116 rushing yards · 9 games · 18th in the NFL in passing yards
Bo Nix to finish QB1 (1–12) at his position, by fantasy points
“Nix offers a relatively safe floor but might have a limited ceiling. Consider him a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.” the article →
Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart
“If practice continues to go as it has, fans can expect Nix to be ready to go for the Week 1 away game.” the article →
- J.K. DobbinsRB1 · RB
324 rushing yards on 98 carries · 3 TD · 9 catches for 31 · 9 games · 29th in the NFL in rushing yards
J.K. Dobbins to be 1st on the depth chart
“So Dobbins is back... I think Dobbins gets a majority of the early down carries and the goal line carries.” the article →
“That leaves him as a touchdown-dependent FLEX.” the article →
- Jaylen WaddleWR1 · WR
30 catches for 337 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 57th in the NFL in receiving yards
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (drafted as a WR2)
“Waddle is one of my flag-plant players this year and can easily be drafted as a WR2 with WR1 upside.” the article →
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal and a new WR1 in Jaylen Waddle” the article →
- Evan EngramTE1 · TE
17 catches for 169 yards · 1 TD · 9 games · 137th in the NFL in receiving yards
- Nik BonittoSack leader · LB
4.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 9 games · 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- Alex SingletonTackle leader · LB
2 sacks · 50 solo tackles · 9 games · 2nd in the NFL in solo tackles
Chargers
- Justin HerbertStarting QB · QB
1,591 passing yards · 6 TD, 11 INT · 61.3% completions · 190 rushing yards · 8 games · 21st in the NFL in passing yards
Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers
“Of all the players on this list, Herbert is the player with the best chance of a trade. That would require Herbert to agree to waive his no-trade clause.” the article →
Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round)
“Justin Herbert has an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round... the arrival of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel could help unlock the sort of big passing numbers that Herbert produced in his first three seasons.” the article →
- Omarion HamptonRB1 · RB
369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games · 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mitchell is No. 2 in the pecking order behind starter Omarion Hampton, and Vidal is No. 3” the article →
Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Hampton should be a rock-solid RB1 with massive upside in 2026.” the article →
- Ladd McConkeyWR1 · WR
17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games · 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Trade 1 Steelers receive: Ladd McConkey, 2027 fifth-round pick Chargers receive: Roman Wilson, 2027 second-round pick” the article →
“McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2)” the article →
- Oronde Gadsden IITE1 · TE
19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games · 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20)
“I'll be avoiding Oronde Gadsden in drafts this season... Gadsden looks like he's locked in a tight end committee for 2026, which is something I don't have any interest in dealing with for fantasy purposes.” the article →
Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart
“I would drop Ronde. I think he's gonna be tight end three in that rotation, man.” the article →
- Tuli TuipulotuSack leader · LB
3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 51st in the NFL in sacks
Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip”
“Khalil Mack is the Chargers' pass rusher everyone is talking about, but LA has another intriguing talent in Tuipulotu. (listed among 25 potential trade chips)” the article →
Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers
“I think his Chargers teammate Tuli Tuipulotu gets an extension from LA that keeps him around, but Mack is still a quality pass rusher and sets a physical edge.” the article →
- Daiyan HenleyTackle leader · LB
0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart
“Daiyan Henley projects to step back from his starting job with the Chargers and assume a rotational role behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad” the article →
Every call on Broncos at Chargers
1–25 of 34
Denver Broncos 24 — Chargers 20
Broncos 24, Chargers 20 ... I still think Denver comes out with the win — if barely. – Tim Lynch
Denver Broncos 33 — Chargers 12
Broncos 33, Chargers 12 ... – Adam Malnati
Denver Broncos 34 — Chargers 17
Broncos 34, Chargers 17 ... – Sadaraine
Denver Broncos 27 — Chargers 17
Broncos 27, Chargers 17 ... – Chris Hart
Denver Broncos 27 — Chargers 16
Broncos 27, Chargers 16 ... All leading to a Broncos victory on Sunday. – Ian St. Clair
Denver Broncos 27 — Chargers 13
Broncos 27, Chargers 13 ... – Scotty Payne
Denver Broncos 29 — Chargers 16
Collectively, our Mile High Report staff is predicting a narrow Broncos 29-16 victory on the road over the Chargers.
Denver Broncos 17 — Los Angeles Chargers 13
J. Bergman Denver Broncos 17-13
Denver Broncos 27 — Los Angeles Chargers 24
B. Cersosimo Denver Broncos 27-24
Denver Broncos 23 — Los Angeles Chargers 16
G. Filice Denver Broncos 23-16
Denver Broncos 21 — Los Angeles Chargers 17
B. Kownack Denver Broncos 21-17
Denver Broncos 24 — Los Angeles Chargers 20
D. Parr Denver Broncos 24-20
Denver Broncos 21 — Chargers 20
Moody's pick: Broncos 21, Chargers 20
Denver Broncos 27 — Chargers 18
Walder's pick: Broncos 27, Chargers 18
Denver Broncos 20 — Chargers 17
Maldonado's pick: Broncos 20, Chargers 17
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Broncos
I'm going with one chip on the charger... They're gonna overlook the Chargers... and the Chargers will get a surprise upset win.
Denver Broncos to beat chargers
Broncos win, Broncos cover.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Denver
I think the Chargers might get their first win of the year, buddy.
Denver Broncos 27 — Chargers 20
Broncos (-3.5) 27-20 over Chargers
Denver Broncos to beat Chargers
Jim Harbaugh's squad is already 0-4 and facing a very difficult schedule. With the Broncos, Chiefs, Rams and Texans up next, when the deadline hits, they really might be 0-8.
Los Angeles Chargers to beat Broncos
I’m expecting this AFC West matchup to not only be close, but for the Chargers to finally put a complete game together and perhaps even come out with a win.
Denver Broncos to beat Los Angeles Chargers
But I got the Denver Broncos winning this game.
Denver Broncos to beat Los Angeles Chargers
I like Denver as well.
Denver Broncos 26 — Chargers 20
Projected score : Broncos 26, Chargers 20
Los Angeles Chargers 23 — Broncos 17
Pick: Chargers 23, Broncos 17