The Denver Broncos are facing a pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5, not necessarily because of the stakes of the game, but because of the rather shocking (but necessary) decision Sean Payton made in the days leading up to it.
Payton has taken back the play-calling duties for the Broncos' offense. After taking a couple of major steps back so far this season compared to where they were even in 2025, Payton decided the offense needed his veteran voice guiding the way.
How will that change impact the way the offense plays against the Chargers? How will the Broncos respond coming off a rather ugly loss against the 49ers in Week 4?
We're making a trio of bold predictions for this game, essentially speaking some of our most optimistic hopes into existence. But you never know when they might actually happen...
Broncos' running game sees a resurgence in Week 5 bold predictions
1. Broncos' running game puts on a masterclass (everyone eats)
The bold prediction is not simply that the Broncos will have a good game running the ball offensively. That wouldn't do for bold predictions. But we also can't fit all of this into just one short subheading or sentence, so follow me for a moment...
My bold prediction is that all of JK Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and Bo Nix will have at least 50 yards rushing in this game against the Chargers, and that all three of those players -- along with Tyler Badie and Adam Prentice -- have at least a 1st down run, if not more.
So, all of Dobbins, Harvey, Nix, Badie, and Prentice will run for at least a 1st down (or touchdown), and the top three guys will all have at least 50 yards on the ground.
The Broncos' season high in rushing so far this year is 104 against the Jaguars in Week 2. Frankly, that's looking more and more impressive by the day. They have only rushed for 100 or more yards in one of their four games this season.
Predicting an outburst in which three different guys have at least 50 yards on the ground feels bold enough.
2. Bo Nix sets a career-high in Completed Air Yards
After the San Francisco loss, Bo Nix has understandably come under the microscope for his unwillingness to throw the football down the field. His 34 completed air yards (yards the ball traveled before being caught) were his lowest of the 2026 season so far, and one of the worst figures of his NFL career up to this point.
He only has 4 games with fewer completed air yards than that.
Believe it or not, we've actually seen Nix test the ball downfield significantly this season (once), specifically against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That game featured the third-highest CAY (Completed Air Yards) total of Nix's career to this point (191).
There isn't a direct or 100 percent correlation between Nix throwing the ball downfield and the Broncos winning games, however...
When Nix has at least 120 CAY in a game dating back to his rookie season, the Broncos are 11-3. The only losses they have in such games are against the Ravens (Nix's rookie season), Chargers (rookie season), and Jaguars (2025).
Nix's career-best CAY total came in a loss to the Jaguars last year when he had his only game of 207 CAY, so my prediction is that he beats that number against the Chargers. After seeing the tape against the 49ers and how hesitant he was to pull the trigger on throwing the ball deep, Nix is going to be on a mission to course correct in Week 5.
3. (At least) Three sacks for Nik Bonitto
Nik Bonitto's best play so far in the 2026 season was wiped away due to a penalty by Riley Moss. Stop me if you've heard that one before...
Bonitto's strip-sack against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars didn't end up counting, so he only has one sack this entire season so far. To many, Bonitto has been a disappointment. It's obvious that he's getting more attention with Jonathon Cooper out of the mix for the time being, but the Broncos still need him out there winning his reps and making an impact on games.
I think he's going to take his slow start personally, and come out against the Chargers with a vengeance.
Since these are "bold" predictions, I'm not just predicting he's going to get on the board with a sack, or even two. I'm saying at least three sacks for Bonitto against that banged-up Chargers offensive line.
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