2026 NFL season, week 5: What we learned from Sunday’s games | Latest NFL News, Analysis and Updates

Brooke Cersosimo’s takeaways:

1. Another big fourth quarter for Denver. The Broncos have been a fourth-quarter team all season long, and Week 5 was no different. Denver scored 10 points in the first three quarters (zero in the third) and trailed 17-10 entering the fourth. That’s when the fun started for Sean Payton’s team. The defense, even without its two best cornerbacks (Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss), absolutely punished the Chargers’ offense, making Justin Herbert pay for every slight indecision and hero effort. Los Angeles had five offensive possessions in that frame, resulting in a punt, a turnover on downs on a Herbert trick, a Herbert fumble, a Herbert interception and a game-ending sack by cornerback Jha’Quan Jackson. Those Chargers drives totaled 19 net yards on 19 plays with two first downs. The Broncos offense also played its part late, taking advantage of the defense’s fourth-down stop in Charger territory and scoring its second touchdown of the day on a 5-yard pass from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton to tie the game. The Broncos then won back-to-back Wil Lutz field goals thanks to huge defensive runs, including a Zach Allen forced fumble and Que Robinson recovery and perhaps the easiest pick of Brandon Jones’ career. Sure, it’s nice to win with some late-game excitement, but it would be better if Denver could find a way to play this way for more than 15 minutes.
2. New player, same Broncos offense. The Broncos offense didn’t perform better immediately after Sean Payton took over for offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Entering Sunday’s contest, Denver ranked 28th in offensive points scored (16.8 per game) and 28th in total offense (280.3 yards per game), according to Tru Media, while Bo Nix averaged just 6.2 air yards per attempt, second-fewest among qualifying QBs. Sure, the Broncos scored 23 points, but that wasn’t without some major help from the defense. Of their 13 drives, five started in Los Angeles territory (scoring on four of them) and only one of two drives featured eight plays or more (the others had five or fewer). Denver was outplayed by its divisional opponent (224 yards to Los Angeles’ 237) and converted once on 12 tries on third down. Nix still struggled to connect with his receivers and extend the field, completing 59.3 percent of his pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown. His 5.1 air yards per attempt were also disappointing, as he only attempted four throws of 10 or more air yards and completed two of them. Payton was patient with the running game, which was stagnant for most of the day, but got some good gains late to help secure the victory. Even with the win, Sunday didn’t feel like a victory — or even a step forward — for this offense.
3. Injuries, injuries and more injuries for Los Angeles Justin Herbert’s 100th NFL start saw him work with a plethora of backups. For starters, its offensive line had four rookies: 63rd pick and center Jake Slaughter and three others (left tackle Travis Burke, left guard Logan Taylor and right tackle Alex Harkey) making their first NFL starts. Fifth-year right guard Cole Strange was the other starter. This offense was also without its two top receivers, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, who were active but clearly had no intention of playing as he was often seen without his helmet. Tre Harris (hamstring) also left the game early, leaving Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Derius Davis and Theo Wease Jr. as WR options. All that to say, nothing came easy for the Chargers, who scored three points in the first half before coming alive in the third quarter with two touchdowns. Credit goes to Herbert, who gave his team a much-needed boost after half-time by extending the play with his legs and finding targets despite constant duress. The highlight of the day was easily the 14-play, 73-yard touchdown drive in which the Chargers converted four third downs (after going 1 of 6 in the first half) and Herbert found tight end Hayden Rucci for a 7-yard score to tie the game at 10. Two drives later, Kimani Vidal hit the Jets for an impressive 42-yard score to give Los Angeles the lead, but a brutal fourth quarter sank Harbaugh’s group again. Herbert finished 14 of 24 passing for 121 yards with a TD, an INT and two fumbles (one lost). He does everything he can with what he has. Unfortunately, the bye is not for two weeks and a trip to Kansas City (4-0) is on the agenda.

Overview of next-generation statistics for Broncos-Chargers (via NFL Pro): Entering Week 5 against the Chargers, the Broncos had posted a 37.4% completion rate (sixth lowest) and a 9.6% explosive play rate (third lowest) with Davis Webb as the play-caller. With Sean Payton assuming playmaking responsibilities in Week 5, the Broncos’ offense posted a 27.5% passing rate and 2.5% explosive play rate through the first three quarters – on pace for their lowest marks of the season. However, the Broncos had a 47.1% completion rate and 11.8% explosive play rate in the fourth quarter.

NFL Research: The Chargers have lost eight straight games, including losing to a wild card last season. The last time head coach Jim Harbaugh was involved in a seven-game losing streak was his final two seasons as a player in 2000 and 2001, when his Chargers and Panthers each went 1-15. Harbaugh never played in a game for Carolina.