Why it'll be time to hit the panic button if the Broncos lose to the Chargers

The Denver Broncos have every bit of a must-win game in Week 5, and if they lose, it's time to hit the panic button. The season would not be over if the team started 2-3, but it would sure feel like it. After a really ugly Week 1 showing against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team responded by taking care of business at home against Jacksonville and Los Angeles.

At that point, it had felt like the 2025 Broncos weren't going anywhere. And while that still may be the case, the way the team played in Week 4 felt like one of the more disappointing showings in quite some time, especially for the offense.

With Sean Payton now having taken back play-calling duties, and the team set to face a bottom-3 team in the sport in Week 5, not winning would absolutely mean it is time to hit the panic button.

The Denver Broncos true team ceiling is going to be on display in Week 5 against LA

Sure, the Broncos aren't necessarily the healthiest team coming into this game, as all of Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Pat Bryant are out. Bryant landed on IR, and, just so you do not forget, rookie running back Jonah Coleman is also on IR.

With that being said, Denver is healthy otherwise. The rest of the starters are playing in this game, and the team's health is exponentially better than what the Los Angeles Chargers are dealing with:

The team is down all but one of their notable starters along the offensive line, as Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater are both out for this one. Center Tyler Biadasz has been out for the entire season thus far. Los Angeles' offensive line is likely going to feature multiple rookies, and might even feature some players you may not have heard of before.

But that isn't all, as Quentin Johnston, Derwin James, and Donte Jackson are all out. The team also did not see Ladd McConkey practice all week. He carries a questionable designation, but with him not practicing all week, it might be unlikely he plays.

The Bolts could then be missing their top two wide receivers and their two best defensive backs. They also have several other key players on IR, and also happen to be 0-4 this year. Yes, that was all a mouthful to get out, but it's important for my argument here.

Not only were the Chargers a bad team to begin the season, but they've now had to deal with an abnormal amount of injuries to a ton of key players. Furthermore, Justin Herbert has been thoroughly awful this year as well.

When I say nothing is working for the Chargers this year, that isn't hyperbole. In fact, there is already chatter among the fanbase on social media about this team tanking the rest of the way and landing a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The healthy players that the Chargers will trot out on Sunday would collectively be one of the worst rosters in the NFL. The Broncos simply cannot lose this game - this franchise was one broken ankle away from a Super Bowl appearance last year and surely still have Super Bowl aspirations this year.

The Broncos have also played a gauntlet of opponents thus far and have to be as battle-tested as a team can possibly be this early in the season. And while the Chargers have also had a tough schedule to begin 2026, it's not been quite as difficult as Denver's.

My point here is that there is simply nothing going in the Chargers favor. This team is winless, banged up, and really have nothing to play for at this point. The team is trending toward selling at the deadline, and I'd also not be shocked if some of the players are already checked out.

Sure, this might make you think that the Broncos are going to be upset given how much is going in their favor, but that can't happen. With how much fight the Broncos were able to show in Weeks 2 and 3, it's clear this team is still showing signs of their 2025 version.

And with the team getting a chance to play an opponent like this, losing is flat-out inexcusable, and if the team does lose, it'll be time to hit the panic buttom.

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