The Denver Broncos are now 2-2 for the third year in a row. Through four games of Sean Payton's first season with the team, back in 2023, the Broncos were 1-3. Despite exiting September with a winning record for the first time in the Payton era, the Broncos failed to get to 3-1 in Week 4.
There are a plethora of issues, unfortunately, with this team. With that said, the Broncos have played, arguably, the toughest stretch of games that any team will see this season. Their first four opponents have a combined record of 13-3, and, obviously, two of those losses came against the Broncos against Jacksonville and Los Angeles in Weeks 2 and 3.
One area that a regression has taken place is with the pass rush, as not having Jonathon Cooper or John Franklin-Myers in the lineup has truly limited what this team can do rushing the passer. Well, in Week 5, the Broncos' pass rush has zero excuses with how banged up the Los Angeles Chargers are getting along the offensive line.
The Denver Broncos could be matching up against a horrifically injured Chargers offensive line
Not only is Rashawn Slater already going to be out in Week 5, but the team also might not have Joe Alt, their stud right tackle. Both Slater and Alt got hurt in the Chargers Week 4 loss against the Seattle Seahawks:
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh confirms LT Rashawn Slater has a high ankle sprain and that they're "still evaluating" the prospect of IR.
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) October 5, 2026
Chargers RT Joe Alt is still being evaluated for a neck injury.
Slater more of a candidate for IR, per Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/1iqqkK2eD7
At one point in Week 4, this is what the Chargers offensive line looked like:
The #Chargers starting OL in the 4th quarter today:
— ChargersWorld (@ChargersWorld) October 5, 2026
LT: Logan Taylor (6th round rookie guard)
LG: Jake Slaughter (rookie center)
C: Jacob Spomer (udfa rookie center)
RG: Cole Strange (69/70 PFF OVR rank for guards)
RT: Travis Burke (rookie swing tackle) pic.twitter.com/AlBZji1aUJ
Yes, that offensive line has four rookies in it, and a veteran guard who is among the worst at his position. There is a non-zero chance that the Broncos are facing that offensive line in Week 5, which might genuinely turn out to be the worst offensive line any team has had to field in years.
For the Broncos' pass rush, this matchup could present a perfect time to get going. As I had noted recently, the pass rush has struggled. According to Pro Football Reference, the Broncos have a pressure rate of 17.7 percent, which is the third-worst in football, and a quaterback hurry rate of 1.3 percent, which is the worst in the sport.
The team just isn't getting to the QB or bringing him down nearly as well as they did in 2024 and 2025. Denver will likely have to deal with not having Patrick Surtain II in the lineup for a couple of weeks, so that could alter their defensive plans, but, regardless, the offensive line in Los Angeles is in shambles.
The identity of this team has been the pass rush - it's been the case for years. If the Broncos hope to begin playing cleaner football on both sides of the ball, getting to the QB would be a great place to start, as that opens up the possibility of turnovers, shortens the opponent's offensive drives, and, in turn, gives the offense more opportunities.
You don't want to get too cocky and view this Week 5 matchup as a get-right game for the defense, but with how bad the Chargers are, and with the state of their offensive line, a get-right game might actually be likely.
Add us as a preferred source on Google