# Broncos vs Chargers predictions, graded

Week 5, 2026: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Oct 11, 2026 · final: Broncos 23, Chargers 17 · 34 calls on record · updated Oct 12, 11:35 AM ET

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.

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 Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): Broncos 3, Chargers 1
- [Fox Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/fox-sports): all 2 Broncos
- [Locked On Broncos (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/locked-on-broncos-podcast): all 2 Broncos
- [The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-richard-sherman-podcast-podcast): all 2 Broncos

The other 21 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Broncos 17, Chargers 4.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-5-broncos-at-chargers

Picks:

- [Ian St. Clair](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ian-st-clair) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 16; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 88.1 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a740d298-9b77-4c1c-a8b8-7184d00b7131
- [Scotty Payne](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/scotty-payne) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 13; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 80.95 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7e4e579c-16ad-413b-925a-d0e8e183a594
- [Sadaraine](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/sadaraine) took the Broncos, Broncos 34–Chargers 17; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 73.81 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e2f43f51-0ed8-4e60-964d-877ed6180c23
- [Mile High Report staff](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mile-high-report-staff) took the Broncos, Broncos 29–Chargers 16; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 83.33 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6f27b507-6245-463a-803a-8a50159885fe
- [Chris Hart](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-hart) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 17; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 90.48 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b0bdb69e-35a9-4347-8789-f9ea1b1b7e18
- [Adam Malnati](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/adam-malnati) took the Broncos, Broncos 33–Chargers 12; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 64.29 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f2d806de-ecfb-4b69-827c-e7982021684e
- [Tim Lynch](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tim-lynch) took the Broncos, Broncos 24–Chargers 20; said Oct 11, 2026; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fd082ff0-8c83-486d-a5eb-9b3f396f0269
- [Gennaro Filice](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gennaro-filice) took the Broncos, Broncos 23–Chargers 16; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 97.62 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7cc33db3-88e5-4811-8121-94bed7928d3a
- [Brooke Cersosimo](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/brooke-cersosimo) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 24; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 92.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bd69c182-b54d-4692-912f-0dd26817dafb
- [Bobby Kownack](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/bobby-kownack) took the Broncos, Broncos 21–Chargers 17; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/57789de7-9bc6-4cce-aacc-c088bd5aa6fe
- [Jeremy Pargo](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jeremy-pargo) took the Broncos, Broncos 17–Chargers 13; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/eb5cd6ae-f2ad-49c8-909d-3ad73d196e72
- [Dan Parr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/dan-parr) took the Broncos, Broncos 24–Chargers 20; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 95.24 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/0c10b52a-0a51-43ee-a55a-78a478f3c2b3
- [Pamela Maldonado](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pamela-maldonado) took the Broncos, Broncos 20–Chargers 17; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 92.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6e8dc1f8-b120-4451-8709-9f92b577ed95
- [Eric Moody](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-moody) took the Broncos, Broncos 21–Chargers 20; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 88.1 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8b18af22-128d-4a43-9c55-860e5adc0bad
- [Seth Walder](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/seth-walder) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 18; said Oct 10, 2026; scored 92.86 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/793c66fa-732d-41fb-9cc3-411c105ee081
- [Eric Mangini](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-mangini) took the Chargers; said Oct 9, 2026; on First Things First (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/af6364dd-ba73-40cb-95fa-a9fa3ddf962b
- [Connor Rogers](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/connor-rogers) took the Broncos; said Oct 9, 2026; on Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cd2f886c-aba0-4ade-bae2-d6fed624673b
- [Nick Wright](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/nick-wright) took the Chargers; said Oct 9, 2026; on What's Wright? with Nick Wright (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d6364709-7117-4210-a1db-951d1d566d8c
- [Jordan Dajani](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jordan-dajani) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 20; said Oct 9, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 97.62 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/029d282f-2740-4c4d-af36-07a93d65eb65
- [Ralph Vacchiano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/ralph-vacchiano) took the Broncos; said Oct 8, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2aa2adac-cde3-456b-a0be-e3e030c633a3
- [Mike Kadlick](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-kadlick) took the Chargers; said Oct 8, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/844b4070-91ae-4d59-acda-dd3bcef13c1c
- [Mitchell Eisenstein](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitchell-eisenstein) took the Broncos; said Oct 8, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8371ccc7-743b-4e3e-9110-79c54cc913ac
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Broncos; said Oct 8, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/92a73b03-9644-439c-b0fc-8b04209830ab
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Broncos, Broncos 26–Chargers 20; said Oct 7, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e47d4e2c-8117-4706-9b6d-f8aa132b8a27
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Chargers, Chargers 23–Broncos 17; said Oct 7, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 50 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9fb2da58-31c1-43f3-bf5e-fe858bdb877d
- [Benjamin Solak](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/benjamin-solak) took the Chargers; said Oct 6, 2026; on Football 301 with Nate Tice (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/32b4ded3-d712-4dc7-9a42-dc0cde0bdba8
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Broncos, Broncos 27–Chargers 20; said Oct 6, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 97.62 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 36.48) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/adff8191-46ce-4758-bbee-d01fc48361d3
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Broncos; said Oct 5, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ebb5d4ad-8432-4585-a227-dd908f2def6b
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Broncos; said Sep 28, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b9868de6-ac6f-4b28-a68c-6541371eb633
- [Henry McKenna](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/henry-mckenna) took the Broncos; said Sep 22, 2026; on Fox Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/19588e73-4a8e-4894-a58c-2d16c19c5b9f
- [Chris Brockman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/chris-brockman) took the Broncos; said Sep 15, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/97300ef0-77e6-4bce-9655-bc43c7e5e475
- [Cody Rourke](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/cody-rourke) took the Broncos; said Jul 24, 2026; on Locked On Broncos (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/129244f8-9c9e-4e2a-917c-bc2c74cfee05
- [Cody Rourke](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/cody-rourke) took the Broncos; said Jul 24, 2026; on Locked On Broncos (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/129244f8-9c9e-4e2a-917c-bc2c74cfee05
- [Sayre Bedinger](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/sayre-bedinger) took the Broncos; said Jul 24, 2026; on Locked On Broncos (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8760a516-d10d-4d40-b449-1169d8b8f8e6

## 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.

Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

- Denver Broncos: 2-2 (74 scored, 94 allowed)
  - Last games: L 14-24 at 49ers; W 30-26 vs Rams; W 20-13 vs Jaguars
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 24th, defense 7th of 32
  - Last season: 14-3
  - Win-total calls: 15 pundits, average 10.9, 9.5 to 13 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 2 of 4 Broncos games
- Los Angeles Chargers: 0-4, lost 4 straight (67 scored, 106 allowed)
  - Last games: L 23-30 at Seahawks; L 16-24 at Bills; L 14-26 vs Raiders
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 32nd, defense 26th of 32
  - Last season: 11-6
  - Win-total calls: 13 pundits, average 8.1, 2 to 12 wins
  - The side most pundits took won 2 of 4 Chargers games

## 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 ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Bo Nix](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bo-nix) (Starting 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
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 18, 2026: Bo Nix to finish QB1 (1–12) at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
  - No. 10 Shanna McCarriston, Aug 2, 2026: Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [J.K. Dobbins](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/j-k-dobbins) (RB1, RB): 324 rushing yards on 98 carries · 3 TD · 9 catches for 31 · 9 games; 29th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Jun 26, 2026: J.K. Dobbins to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 24 Rich Hribar, Sep 9, 2026: That leaves him as a touchdown-dependent FLEX. (not settled yet)
- [Jaylen Waddle](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaylen-waddle) (WR1, WR): 30 catches for 337 yards · 2 TD · 9 games; 57th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 4, 2026: Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (drafted as a WR2) (not settled yet)
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Sep 3, 2026: Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Evan Engram](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/evan-engram) (TE1, TE): 17 catches for 169 yards · 1 TD · 9 games; 137th in the NFL in receiving yards
- [Nik Bonitto](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nik-bonitto) (Sack leader, LB): 4.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 9 games; 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- [Alex Singleton](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/alex-singleton) (Tackle leader, LB): 2 sacks · 50 solo tackles · 9 games; 2nd in the NFL in solo tackles
- [Justin Herbert](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/justin-herbert) (Starting 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
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 3, 2026: Justin Herbert to stay with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 30, 2026: Justin Herbert to outplay his draft cost (an ADP of QB9 and is going in the back half of the seventh round) (not settled yet)
- [Omarion Hampton](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/omarion-hampton) (RB1, RB): 369 rushing yards on 102 carries · 3 TD · 11 catches for 63 · 8 games; 25th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 17, 2026: Omarion Hampton to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Aug 15, 2026: Omarion Hampton to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Ladd McConkey](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ladd-mcconkey) (WR1, WR): 17 catches for 286 yards · 1 TD · 6 games; 76th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Nov 6, 2026: Ladd McConkey to move to Pittsburgh Steelers (not settled yet)
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 18, 2026: McConkie's out, and I expect him to be out for the game. (Chargers vs. Raiders, Week 2) (not settled yet)
- [Oronde Gadsden II](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/oronde-gadsden-ii) (TE1, TE): 19 catches for 172 yards · 1 TD · 8 games; 135th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 11, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20) (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 7, 2026: Oronde Gadsden II to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Tuli Tuipulotu](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tuli-tuipulotu) (Sack leader, LB): 3 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 51st in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Oct 29, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to move — “potential trade chip” (not settled yet)
  - No. 40 JP Acosta, Nov 6, 2026: Tuli Tuipulotu to sign a new deal with Los Angeles Chargers (not settled yet)
- [Daiyan Henley](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/daiyan-henley) (Tackle leader, LB): 0.5 sacks · 21 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games; 140th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Nov 11, 2026: Daiyan Henley to be 3rd on the depth chart (not settled yet)

---

The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-5
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology