Slight edgeDEN
Denver Broncos
84.7PFM Team Score#10 NFL
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers: PFM Team Comparison
The Denver Broncos hold a slight overall advantage over the Los Angeles Chargers in the current PFM ratings. Denver separates itself through the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Current PFM Team Scores
LAC
Los Angeles Chargers
84.0PFM Team Score#11 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Denver Broncos Higher
Defense is one of the clearest reasons the Denver Broncos sit higher. The unit gives the offense more chances to recover from a bad drive. Los Angeles' strongest counterargument is QB Stability. Quarterback is the clearest separator. Justin Herbert gives Los Angeles more certainty than the Denver Broncos have at the position.
Denver also brings the clearer long-term football direction. The Denver Broncos still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Denver vs. Los Angeles Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
DENDenver Broncos
LACLos Angeles Chargers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Los Angeles Chargers’ Best Argument
Justin Herbert gives the Los Angeles Chargers the steadier quarterback room. That lets the offense stay on schedule without asking the rest of the team to cover constant uncertainty. The QB Stability advantage is a real point in Los Angeles' favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Los Angeles is that Denver counters with the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DEN84.7
Denver Broncos 84.7LAC84.0
Los Angeles Chargers 84.0Overall NFL Rank
DEN#10
Denver Broncos #10LAC#11
Los Angeles Chargers #11QB Stability
DEN82.3
Denver Broncos 82.3LAC86.1
Los Angeles Chargers 86.1Roster Strength
DEN80.8
Denver Broncos 80.8LAC79.5
Los Angeles Chargers 79.5Coaching Direction
DEN85.0
Denver Broncos 85.0LAC85.6
Los Angeles Chargers 85.6Recent Performance
DEN85.9
Denver Broncos 85.9LAC79.5
Los Angeles Chargers 79.5Offense
DEN81.2
Denver Broncos 81.2LAC82.4
Los Angeles Chargers 82.4Defense
DEN84.6
Denver Broncos 84.6LAC82.3
Los Angeles Chargers 82.3Franchise Direction
DEN78.4
Denver Broncos 78.4LAC76.3
Los Angeles Chargers 76.3Explosiveness
DEN74.8
Denver Broncos 74.8LAC75.3
Los Angeles Chargers 75.3Conference Rank
DEN#5
Denver Broncos #5LAC#6
Los Angeles Chargers #6Division Rank
DEN#2
Denver Broncos #2LAC#3
Los Angeles Chargers #3Outlook
DENPlayoff ContenderLACPlayoff Contender
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Denver Broncos
- Strongest Rating
- Coaching Direction
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- QB Stability
Denver's clearest category edge is Defense. The Denver Broncos own the stronger defense against the Los Angeles Chargers. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. The biggest problem in this matchup is QB Stability, where Los Angeles owns the clearer advantage.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Strongest Rating
- QB Stability
- Category Edge
- QB Stability
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Defense
Los Angeles' clearest category edge is QB Stability. Quarterback is where the Los Angeles Chargers have their cleanest advantage against the Denver Broncos. With Justin Herbert, the offense has a better floor when the first answer stops working. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Denver owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Denver Broncos
Full schedule rank: #9
Toughest stretch: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
View Denver Broncos Road AheadLos Angeles Chargers
Full schedule rank: #2
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
View Los Angeles Chargers Road AheadLos Angeles has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 2. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Denver also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.