Denver Broncos look to snap a one-game skid against a winless Los Angeles Chargers squad battered by injuries on both lines.
Game details
| When | Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 4:05 PM ET |
| Where | SoFi Stadium |
| TV | CBS |
| Line | Denver Broncos -3.5 | O/U 42 (market view) |
| Denver Broncos record | 2-2 |
| Los Angeles Chargers record | 0-4 |
Overview
The Denver Broncos come into SoFi Stadium at 2-2 after dropping their last outing 14-24 to the San Francisco 49ers, a game that followed back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chargers, meanwhile, are 0-4 and have lost four straight, their most recent defeat a 23-30 setback against the Seattle Seahawks. Denver has scored 74 points and allowed 94 this season, while Los Angeles has managed just 67 points and given up 106.
This one carries weight for different reasons on each side. Denver is trying to right the ship after the blowout loss to San Francisco, and a win here keeps them in the thick of things at 3-2. For the Chargers, it's about stopping the bleeding before an 0-4 start turns into something harder to climb out of, especially with their offensive line in shambles — Joe Alt, Kayode Awosika and Trevor Penning are all out.
Denver enters as the 3.5-point favorite, and that line makes sense. The Chargers are down two starting guards and their starting left tackle, their top receiver Quentin Johnston is out, and Ladd McConkey is questionable. Denver's own secondary is hurting with Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss both sidelined, but the Broncos' offense has more playmakers available and a healthier skill group to work with. Edge: Denver.
Key players
Bo Nix leads Denver's offense and carries the highest projection in this game at 16.5 DraftKings points, putting the ball in his hands against a shorthanded Chargers defense.
Jaylen Waddle is Denver's top target at 10.0 projected points and should see plenty of volume with the Broncos' passing attack trying to pull away early.
RJ Harvey projects for 10.5 points and figures to share the backfield load with J.K. Dobbins as Denver looks to control the clock.
Justin Herbert is operating behind a patchwork line missing three starters and projects for 10.5 points in a tough spot.
Omarion Hampton carries the Chargers' run game at 9.0 projected points, the clearest path to production on a Los Angeles offense that's struggled to find footing.
Keys to the game
Get after Justin Herbert behind a Chargers offensive line missing Joe Alt, Kayode Awosika and Trevor Penning — that kind of attrition up front should open lanes for Denver's pass rush.
Lean on the run with RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins to control the clock against a Chargers defense that's allowed 106 points through four games.
Tighten the coverage shells with both Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss out — Denver needs pressure up front to cover for a secondary that's down its top two corners.
Fantasy angles
Start Bo Nix. His 16.5-point projection is the highest in this matchup, and a Chargers defense that's bled points all season is the kind of matchup you want your quarterback in.
Start RJ Harvey. At 10.5 projected points, he's in line for a featured role in a Denver backfield that should lean run-heavy to protect a shaky secondary.
Start Jaylen Waddle. His 10.0 projection reflects his role as Denver's top target, and he should see plenty of looks in a game Denver is favored to control.
Start Wil Lutz. With a 42.0 total and two banged-up rosters, this has the makings of a game with its share of stalled drives and field-goal tries, and Lutz projects for 7.8 points.
Sit Pat Bryant. He's on injured reserve and isn't in play regardless of his 6.0 projection.
Prediction
The market has this one landing at Denver Broncos 23, Los Angeles Chargers 19, which lines up with Denver's 3.5-point favorite status and a total of 42.0. That split reflects a Denver offense with more healthy weapons facing a Chargers team trying to piece together a line, while Denver's own secondary issues keep this from being a blowout on paper.
Injury report
| Player | Team | Pos | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Moss | Denver Broncos | CB | Out |
| Pat Surtain II | Denver Broncos | CB | Out |
| Joe Alt | Los Angeles Chargers | OT | Out |
| Kayode Awosika | Los Angeles Chargers | OG | Out |
| Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers | WR | Out |
| Charlie Kolar | Los Angeles Chargers | TE | Questionable |
| Trey Lance | Los Angeles Chargers | QB | Doubtful |
| Scott Matlock | Los Angeles Chargers | FB | Questionable |
| Ladd McConkey | Los Angeles Chargers | WR | Questionable |
| Trevor Penning | Los Angeles Chargers | OG | Out |
| Branson Taylor | Los Angeles Chargers | OG | Questionable |
| Brenen Thompson | Los Angeles Chargers | WR | Out |
Depth chart
| Pos | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|
| QB | Bo Nix |
| RB | J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey |
| WR | Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin |
| TE | Evan Engram |
Recent results
| Team | Last games |
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | Wk4 L 14-24 vs San Francisco 49ers, Wk3 W 30-26 vs Los Angeles Rams, Wk2 W 20-13 vs Jacksonville Jaguars |
In this story
- Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Bo Nix
- Branson Taylor
- Brenen Thompson
- Charlie Kolar
- Courtland Sutton
- Evan Engram
- J.K. Dobbins
- Jaylen Waddle
- Joe Alt
- Justin Herbert
- Kayode Awosika
- Ladd McConkey
- Omarion Hampton
- Pat Bryant
- Pat Surtain II
- Quentin Johnston
- RJ Harvey
- Riley Moss
- Scott Matlock
- Trevor Penning
- Trey Lance
- Troy Franklin
- Wil Lutz
Written by Rhett Zone, an AI analyst, from News Hub Fantasy data (schedule, scores, box scores, injuries and depth charts), and checked against that data before it published automatically. Read how we use AI in our editorial standards.